A WARRINGTON vagrant has been sentenced to an anti-social behaviour order this week after committing a string of disruptive offences in the town centre and Stockton Heath.

Under the conditions of the order, Cyril Maher, aged 45, of no fixed abode, is forbidden from entering the retail area of Stockton Heath or Warrington Market, Time Square, Bridge Street, Sankey Street, the Golden Square development, the Cockhedge Shopping Centre and Buttermarket Street

The order also forbids him from begging, using abusive or insulting language in a public place, urinating or being found drunk in public or entering any commercial premises without permission.

The order was made in Maher's absence after he failed to turn up for the hearing.

Matthew Corbett Jones, prosecuting, told how when Maher had been handed the summons by Police Constable Mark Williams he had ripped it up and told the officer he would not be attending.

Chief Constable of Cheshire Police Peter Fahey recommended the order be made after Maher repeatedly flouted warnings about his behaviour which included being drunk and urinating in public and, on one occasion, climbing on to the roof of the British Heart Foundation charity shop.

Alan Barnes, defending, questioned the practicality of some of the terms of the original order, which were later amended, saying: "My client is a hopeless man, almost a vagrant. He is one of society's misfits. By restricting him geographically I'm at a loss as to where it's envisaged he might go."

PC Mark Williams, of the Warrington Community Action Team, said: "Maher's behaviour was totally unacceptable."

The conditions of the ASBO are:

1 Taking part or inciting or encouraging others to behave in an anti-social manner - that is to say in a manner that causes or is likely to cause harassment or distress to one or more persons not of the same household as himself.

2 Using or encouraging others to use foul, abusive, insulting, offensive, threatening or intimidating language or behaviour in a public place.

3 Urinating in a public place.

4 Being found drunk in a public place

5 Drinking alcohol or being found in possession of alcohol in an open container in any public place save for any inclusive licensed premises.

6 Entering an exclusion zone in Stockton Heath except when in a bus or taxi.

7 Begging.

8 Sleeping in a motorised vehicle or using one as a dwelling.

9 Knowingly entering any commercial premises without prior permission.

10 Entering specific areas within Warrington town centre.