The ASBO no-one refuses

PRIVATE EYE has this wonderful story in "Funny Old World " this week (No 1133 Page 7)

"My client admits that he was drunk when he created a disturbance at Weymouth Bay Caravan Park," defending solicitor Roger Maxwell told Weymouth Magistrates Court. "He admits that he used threatening words and behaviour, he admits to shouting and banging on caravan doors, and he admits to swearing at the police when they handcuffed him. It is also true that he is already the subject of a two-year Anti-Social Behaviour Order. But in mitigation, I should point out that, due to administrative error, the wording on the ASBO specifically states that he is 'prohibited from not being drunk in a public place'"


After consultation with his fellow magistrates, Chairman of the bench Colin Weston passed judgement on thirty-eight-year-old Stephen Winstone. "It is fortunate for you that the ASBO has been badly written, because otherwise we would have been looking to sentence you to prison for up to a couple of years. However, you were technically fulfilling the terms of your ASBO by being drunk in public, so the court will show leniency to you. You are fined £100." (Dorset Echo, 17/03/05. Spotter: Sue Webb)

...a small and disorderly queue formed outside Weymouth Magistrates Court later all requesting being issued with an ASBO...