Ellesmere Port man handed five-year Criminal Behaviour Order

A man has been banned from entering Ellesmere Port town centre after verbally abusing job centre staff and civil servants. 

Timothy Finley appeared at Chester Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 9 November where he was handed a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).

As a result of the order the 32-year-old, of no fixed abode, is banned from entering Ellesmere Port town centre for the next five years. 

Following the order he must comply with the following conditions –

1. Not use abusive, insulting or intimidating language or behaviour in any public place or towards any person in Cheshire
2. Not use or threaten any violence in any public place in Cheshire
3. Not to enter the exclusion area on the map, except when passing through on a continuous journey using public transport or in a private vehicle and does not alight within the exclusion area.

If he breaches any of the conditions, he could face a penalty of five years imprisonment.

During today’s hearing, the court was told that over the past year police have dealt with more than ten incidents involving Finley.

Five related to incidents at Ellesmere Port job centre on Whitby Road, where he repeatedly threatened and verbally abused staff and customers.

He also launched a tirade of abuse against civil servants working at the Local MPs office, even threatening to set fire to the building. 

Other incidents included threatening his former landlord with a knife, criminal damage and verbally abusing police staff and officers.

Jane Delevingne, Community Safety Officer for Cheshire West, said:

“Finley is a prolific offender who has brought misery to Ellesmere Port town centre over a number of years.

“Over the past 12 months his offending has increased dramatically and despite multiple offers of support, he has refused to engage with officers, persistently showing no consideration for the impact his behaviour has had on others. 

“Finley has no regard for the criminal justice system or the police and he cannot be allowed to continue to act in this way, which is both criminal and anti-social. 

“Nobody should have to live in fear or feel harassed in their home or own workplace and there comes a point when you have to say enough is enough and take additional action to protect the residents and businesses.

“I hope that this order provides reassurance to the local community and helps to deter Finley’s criminal behaviour.”

Anyone who encounters Finley breaching any of the above restrictions is urged to contact Cheshire Police at https://www.cheshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/soh/seen-or-heard/ or call 101, to report it.