AFTER totalling 23 criminal convictions in just 22 months, a homeless man from Scotland has become the first person in Herefordshire to be sentenced under new legislation designed to crack down on alcohol-related disorder.

Over that period John Newlands McPhee, 64, had become well-known to Hereford's police following a string of drunk and disorderly offences across the city centre.

On Monday he was handed a Criminal Behaviour Order by Hereford Magistrates Court – the first given out under the 2014 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act – which bans him from drinking in many of the city's 'hot spots'.

"McPhee has repeatedly failed to behave," said Jim Mooney, Herefordshire's police licensing and harm reduction coordinator.

"The opportunities for him to change his ways have been numerous and as well as this order being granted, there is ongoing multi-agency partnership work taking place to try and divert him from this type of conduct."

His order will run for two years, and should he breach it, he could face a prison term.

The conditions include a ban for McPhee being drunk or being in possession of an open vessel of alcohol in the city centre, as defined by a map given to him by the police.

Mr Mooney added: "This CBO is part of the on-going work to deal with a minority of society who continue to act in an alcohol-related anti-social manner that does cause alarm and distress to the public.

"So far three similar orders have been granted, with three more in the court system awaiting hearings – and one person subject to a previous order has already been sent to prison for breaching it.

"The public are encouraged to report any breaches of this order to the police by calling 101."