A two year anti-social behaviour order has been made against an aggressive beggar to protect residents and visitors to Watford town centre. 

Timothy Hart, 35, of St Albans Road, Watford, was given the order following a series of abusive incidents at cash machines, and indecent acts including defacating in public. He appeared at Stevenage Magistrates Court on Friday, December 5. 

The order will prevent Hart from encamping in any public place in the borough of Watford, seeking or accepting money from any member of the public by begging in England and Wales, and entering Watford town centre, as defined by a map, except for appointments for medical assistance or pre-arranged probation appointments. 

Hart is also prevented from obstructing council officers in the execution of their duties, and displaying open wounds, spitting, urinating or defacating in public in England and Wales. 

PC Rob Clarke, from the Watford Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "We received a number of calls about Mr Hart's behaviour in the town centre and initially tried to tackle this by offering him places to seek advice and support for his addiction. 

"However despite our best efforts, and after he was arrested for a number of public order and criminal damage offences, we felt we were left with no alternative but to seek an ASBO in partnership with Watford Borough Council. I hope that businesses and people in the town centre will now have some respite from his behaviour and that the town will be a more pleasant place."

Liam Fitzgerald, from Watford Borough Council's community safety team, said: "The ASBO was the last option but hopefully now Mr Hart will consider seeking help - of which there is plenty available in the town."