A VIOLENT street drinker behind an eight-year campaign of intimidation has been banned from part of East Oxford.
Homeless Anthony Conroy, 41, admitted leaving human excrement, rabbits’ guts and sheeps’ eyes on one of his victim’s doorsteps, Oxford magistrates heard yesterday.
The court was also told Conroy had convictions for assault, robbery and shoplifting and had just been released from a spell in prison.
Conroy failed to appear in court and magistrates imposed a two year Antisocial Behaviour Order in his absence.
The Asbo stops him from setting foot in the area between Cowley Road, Iffley Road, The Plain and Howard Street.
He is also banned from swearing and intimidating people, is not allowed to be drunk in public or be in possession of open alcohol, and is barred from urinating and defecating in the street.
Victim Louise Porter told the court Conroy had been harassing her since they met in the street near her house in Magdalen Road eight years ago.
She was relieved at the Asbo, saying it would allow her to leave her home without being scared.
Prosecutor Sarah McKeown handed magistrates a list of 40 offences which police believe were committed by Conroy in East Oxford.
They included taking money from elderly residents for drink and drugs, stealing from shops in Magdalen Road and the surrounding area, urinating and defecating in the street, verbally abusing Miss Porter, vandalising her flowers and hurling stones at her window.
A schedule of allegations handed to the magistrates included an entry for Magdalen Road through 2008 which said: “Rabbit guts, sheep eyes and human excrement were left on the doorstep of Louise Porter’s property. Anthony admitted to her that it was him that did this.”
Eric Packer, defending, told the court Conroy opposed the Asbo but had no further instructions.
The court heard police officers reminded Conroy of the Asbo hearing two days ago and letters and phone calls had been made to his previous address in Corunna Crescent, Cowley.
Magistrates’ chairman Ann Robson imposed the two year Asbo in Conroy’s absence, adding he could be jailed for five years if he breaches it.
After the hearing 29-year-old Miss Porter said she did not know why she had been targeted, and added: “He has been tormenting me and everybody in the street since 2002.
“A lot of people are intimidated by him and scared to speak out because he is a big guy. But he only picks on vulnerable people.
“It’s been great when he is locked up. I can put my bins out and walk my dogs without being scared.
“I hope the Asbo works and everyone stands together, people and shopkeepers, and call the police if we see him down here. He’s a very dangerous bloke but I feel safe knowing he has this Asbo. At least I can leave my house without being afraid.”
Pc Oli Jacques, of East Oxford police, said: “Conroy is someone who has been causing a lot of problems for residents and businesses for a long time.
“Stopping street drinking is a priority and this is a big step towards tackling that.
“It sends a strong message to others he hangs around with that their behaviour will not be tolerated.”
Anyone who sees Conroy breaching his Asbo should call police immediately on 999, or 08458 505505.
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