Racist drinker given an Asbo (From Oxford Mail)

Racist drinker given an Asbo

8:55pm Tuesday 15th May 2007

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A street drinker has been given an Asbo after two racist attacks and a series of other drunken incidents.

Kenneth Pollard, 55, has been banned from drinking in public, apart from in pubs, or going into off-licences after having alcohol.

He had committed 10 offences last year and 19 in total since 1998.

The assaults and public order offences included a drunken attack on Rattandeep Singh Ahluwalia in the city centre.

During the incident at Carfax Tower on May 29, Mr Ahluwalia's turban was ripped off with such force that some of his hair was pulled out with it.

In the trial at Oxford Magistrates' Court, Mr Ahluwalia said that for a Sikh having his turban ripped off was "the most embarassing thing possible".

During 2006, Pollard - who told magistrates he was an alcohlic - also committed six public order offences, two shoplifting offences and one of drug possession.

Supt Jim Trotman, head of Oxford Police, said it was the two racially-aggravated incidents which pushed police towards taking out the antisocial behaviour order.

The Asbo prohibits Pollard from entering an off-licence after consuming alcohol, from consuming alcohol in a public place other than on licensed premises, or from having in his possession an open container of alcohol in a public place other than on licensed premises.

Mr Trotman said: "This is a nasty piece of work who, when he drinks, attacks people and insults their religion and race.

"He does things that cause serious offence and there is no place in Oxford or society for him.

"If he breaches this, we will be on him. It was the racial offences that pushed us to going for an Asbo.

"We will not tolerate racially aggravated incidents at all.

"We are not anti street drinking. We are anti causing offence."

However, Mr Trotman commended Pollard, of Speedwell Street, Oxford, for staying out of trouble since January.

He added: "I am pleased to note that since Mr Pollard was served his interim Asbo four months ago he has behaved well and not breached his order on any occasion."

Mr Trotman added: "We hope this success continues and his Asbo helps him in his battle with alcoholism as well as making Oxford city centre a safer and more pleasant place to visit."

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