A PROLIFIC offender who assaulted more than 30 times has been handed the first new anti-social behaviour order in Sussex.

Gary Divall, 53, from Oriental Place, Brighton, has been given a Criminal Behaviour Order.

The order came into force in October and replaces ASBOs.

Divall has been convicted for criminal damage, drunk and disorderly, using foul and abusive language and racially motivated language in a public place, and for assaulting police officers. In September he was charged with verbally abusing a taxi driver in Norton Road, Hove, and in November he was jailed for 16 weeks for assaulting a traffic warden in Eaton Road, Hove.

Use of homophobic language in a public place and assaulting a paramedic was also used as evidence to apply for the order.

It means for two years he cannot use foul or abusive language of a racist or homophobic nature and cannot be drunk anywhere in Brighton and Hove. He must live and sleep where directed to do so by the rough sleepers team. He must complete ten sessions with an alcohol nurse.

Sussex Police worked with Brighton and Hove City Council, the Crown Prosecution Service, street, mental health and alcohol teams to ask for the order.

Sergeant Dave Palmer said: "This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated in the city. We work closely with our partners to ensure support is available when necessary but we will not shy away from using enforcement when necessary.

"With this new legislation we are able to direct people like Divall to undertake positive steps to deal with their problems rather than give them a list of things they can't do.

"This gives us the opportunity to direct them to the best support available and their failure to do would then be an offence."

Peter Wileman from Brighton and Hove City Council's Community Safety Team said: “No-one in our city should suffer from racial abuse, homophobic abuse or anti-social behaviour.

"This case shows that we will work closely with our partners in order to protect the public from further acts of antisocial behaviour and to help the offenders from engaging in such acts in the future.

"We will make use of the latest powers available to us, which are specifically designed to tackle persistently antisocial individuals and those involved in criminal activity.

"If anyone experiences antisocial behaviour we would urge them to make contact with our Community Safety Team or the police.”

Anyone experiencing antisocial behaviour or hate incidents can contact the Community Safety Casework Team on 01273 292735 or email communitysafety.casework@brighton-hove.gcsx.gov.uk or report to the police on 101 (999 in an emergency).