A DRUNK has been banned from drinking in public in Hereford City Centre for two years.

At Hereford Magistrates Court on Tuesday Michael Croke, 48, on St Peter’s Close, Moreton-on-Lugg, was told that if he was found to be in possession of an open vessel in the city centre he could face up to five years in prison.

Croke, who pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly, has amassed 33 convictions since 1997, the majority of which being for theft and public disorder.

He had been arrested following an incident involving staff at Hereford's city centre Boots store.

The arrest came as part of Operation Castlemain – an initiative targeting alcohol-related anti-social behaviour in the city, which is set to wind up in the next couple of weeks.

The Anti Social Behaviour Reduction Team applied for a two-year Criminal Anti Social Behaviour Order (CRASBO) to be applied to Croke which bans him from known ‘hotspots’ in the city centre and prevents him from drinking openly in the street.

Breaching the conditions of his CRASBO could see him arrested, with the offence carrying a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment.

Jim Mooney, Hereford's police licensing and harm reduction coordinator, said: “Mr Croke was given plenty of opportunities to adjust his behaviours, and this CRASBO has been the result of him failing to heed those warnings.

“As part of Operation Castlemain, officers have been targeting specific areas across the city where there have been high levels of alcohol related anti-social behaviour.

“Individuals have been identified who are involved in this type of behaviour causing a direct impact on community confidence.

“The police continue to work with our statutory and voluntary partners across the City to give help and support to both victims and perpetrators alike.

“Anyone who witnesses anybody breaching an ASBO or CRASBO should contact the Police on 101 or via Crimestoppers 0800 555111."

The conditions of Croke's CRASBO are that he not enter the grounds of Hereford Cathedral, be in the vicinity of the Cantilupe Street duck pond, enter Castle Green, Eign Gate or High Street be in possession of an open vessel of alcohol in Hereford City Centre.