Man banned from town centre

street drinker banned from town centre

A man who frequently intimidated and abused Slough workers and visitors has been banned from setting foot in the town centre.

Temba Mukiwa has been served a Criminal Behaviour Order for his offensive antics.

He is not permitted to enter a designated area of the town centre, drink alcohol in the street or cause fear alarm or distress to anyone, anywhere in the borough.

Justices of the Peace sitting at Slough Magistrates’ Court imposed the harshest measures at their disposal during the sentencing hearing of Mr Mukiwa for breaching a community protection notice which prevented him from drinking in the town centre.

If he is spotted breaching any prohibition of the new order, which lasts for five years, he can be immediately arrested.

Mr Mukiwa’s antics include intimidating street drinkers to buy alcohol for him from shops which have been prevented from serving him. In the last two months there have been five complaints regarding graphic songs about what he wanted to do to women working in shops as well as banging waste bins like drums.

The council’s neighbourhood enforcement team, led by Richard Palacio, worked with the business community and police to gather evidence and put a strong case together to demonstrate measures already in place were being regularly breached.

The 44-year-old’s behaviour had not been improving and financial penalties were not affective due to his immigration status and lack of entitlements.

Cllr Pavitar K. Mann, cabinet member of planning and regulation, said: “This man has been making the lives of people who work and visit the town centre a misery with his behaviour.

“This is not acceptable to the council or our residents and our officers have worked extremely hard to gather all the information for magistrates to impose the Criminal Behaviour Order.

“This should act as a warning to any other resident intent on causing a persistent nuisance that we will not hesitate to take action.”

Magistrates convicted Mr Mukiwa in his absence on 16 October for breaching the community protection notice after being found with alcohol in a prohibited area in December 2019.

He was sentenced on Monday 30 November and given a 12 month conditional discharge and a victim surcharge of £21 which was served by one day detention in court, as well as the restrictions placed under the Criminal Behaviour Order.

Costs of £2877 were requested by the council for prosecuting the case but no costs order was made by the court due to Mr Mukiwa’s lack of means.

The court heard he has criminal convictions in the UK and his home country of Zimbabwe and faced further offences which are currently going through in the criminal justice system. He is also on immigration bail.

Mr Mukiwa has rejected any assistance the council has offered for him to get help for his drinking issues and was offered temporary accommodation at the beginning of the pandemic.

If Mr Mukiwa is seen in the town centre or is seen drinking in any part of the borough please contact Thames Valley Police on the non emergency number 101.

If he is causing harassment, alarm or distress to anyone anywhere in the borough the police should be called on 999.

Published: 2 December 2020