A POWYS man will spend Christmas behind bars for the second year in a row, after he was yet again found in a drunken state and observed verbally abusing members of the public.

Alan Newton, aged 59, was told less than a month ago he was not to be found in a state of drunkenness anywhere in public in Wales.

A criminal behaviour order Newton was already subject to was intensified on October 31 after he admitted stealing a bottle of red wine from Spar in Newtown on October 29.

This followed previous incidents where Newton, of St Mary’s Close, Newtown, had made comments of a sexual nature to a woman in a sweet shop in June. Meanwhile, in August, he followed another woman and asked if he could have sex with her.

Newton was arrested by police in Newtown on Monday, November 27, in a state of drunkenness. He appeared in custody at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court the following day, where he admitted breaching the criminal behaviour order.

“Police had a call regarding the defendant being intoxicated,” prosecutor Helen Tench said.

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“He was located by PCSOs on High Street where he was being abusive to members of the public.

“Costa Coffee manager Alex Johnson was having a cigarette break when he saw a female in the queue at an ATM. He (Newton) appeared to be bothering her.

“She cancelled the transaction and walked away. The defendant then called Mr Johnson a “nosy b*****d’ and a ‘w****r.

“Leanne Richards, a PCSO, was speaking to a member of the public when the defendant approached her, staggering.

“He was aggressive and verbally abusive to her and her colleague. They called for back-up. He got into her personal space.”

Newton was arrested. As well as the breach of the criminal behaviour order, he is also the subject of a community order for the public order offences from earlier this year. He is also still subject to post-sentence supervision after he was imprisoned days before Christmas last year.

Of the June public order matter, Mrs Tench said: “He made comments of a sexual nature to a woman in a sweet shop.

“He preached about God and Jesus. He asked one woman if a woman with her was her daughter. When she said she was, the defendant asked ‘Would you be offended if I asked your daughter if I could have sex with her?’.

“In August a woman reported a male to police. He (Newton) had been making sexual comments towards her.

“He approached her and called her ‘sweetheart’. He was wearing a Manchester United shirt with a devil emblem on it and referred to himself as the devil. He was drinking from a bottle of wine and asked if he could have sex with her.”

Owain Jones, representing Newton, said the breach of the order had begun by his client drinking at home, something he is permitted to do.

“He became drunk, wonders into town thereafter and doesn’t recall why,” said Mr Jones.

“He doesn’t recall bothering everyone or going inside Costa, but he doesn’t deny what the witnesses say. He is sorry for his behaviour.

“You can see there is a pattern, his behaviour is always linked to alcohol.

“He says he is lonely. He lost his partner a few years ago; alcohol is a coping mechanism and also a form of escapism.”

Probation officer Julian Davies said he could not suggest any other form of punishment other than a jail sentence.

“He has two curfew violations and two unacceptable behaviour incidents,” Mr Davies said.

“His behaviour has become very challenging. There have been inappropriate comments made to a female member of staff at Kaleidoscope.

“He has been difficult and suggestive with probation staff, especially one female member of staff.

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“He blames alcohol use and subsequent memory loss.”

Chair of the bench, Rebecca Klug, told Newton: “Your behaviour has left us with no other option than to choose custody.

“There has been a wilful and persistent failure to comply with your community order and a flagrant disregard for court orders, as well as a pattern of drunken behaviour of approaching others and causing distress. 

“We have taken account of previous convictions and the failure to respond to interventions.”

They revoked the previous orders and jailed Newton for 18 weeks for breaching his criminal behaviour order.

He will serve another six weeks, concurrently, for the August public order matter, plus another six weeks for the June offence, although that will be served concurrently.

He will also have to pay a £154 surcharge upon his release.