A 50-year-old man has been banned from entering Newbury after causing ‘considerable distress and upset’ among the community.

Richard Lees, 50, of Northway, Newbury, attended a hearing at Reading Magistrates Court on Thursday, November 21 and pleaded guilty to seven counts of racially aggravated public order and one count of assault by beating.

He has been jailed for six months and issued with a Criminal Behaviour Order in Newbury.

This order prohibits Lees from entering the town centre other than to attend pre-arranged appointments with probation, court, council offices, job centre and solicitors or when a passenger on public transport passing through Newbury town centre.

He is also prohibited from consuming alcohol in any public place in Newbury and carrying any open container of alcohol in a public place in Newbury.

Should Lees fail to comply with the terms of the CBO, he would be liable to a term of imprisonment, a fine, or both.

Inspector Alan Hawkett of the Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Lees has displayed a course of behaviour which has caused considerable distress and upset in Newbury.

“I am pleased that he has been convicted and sent to prison for his offending, and that upon his release, he will have to comply with the CBO, which has been put in place to prevent further reoffending.

“Thames Valley Police will not tolerate aggressive and criminal behaviour that was displayed by Lees, and I hope that this outcome will reassure the local community that we will tackle such antisocial behaviour.”