A MAN who was given a police order due to his anti-social behaviour has "turned his life around", a court heard.

Michael Croke of Etnam Street, Leominster appeared at Hereford Magistrates Court yesterday for breaching a criminal behaviour order (CBO).

The order, given to him last September for two years, prohibited him from entering certain hotspots in Hereford city centre and behaving in a disorderly manner.

The 49-year-old pleaded guilty to being in Eign Gate in Hereford on April 8, from where he is banned from.

And another breach from February 21 was asked to be taken into consideration.

But the court heard police believed Croke had made such "significant and positive progress" that they wanted the order to be amended so he was allowed in the city centre areas.

Lesley Ashton, prosecuting, said, since the CBO had been imposed, police said Croke had made significant changes in his own personal lifestyle.

They said he now has a flat in Leominster and he has significantly reduced his alcohol intake. He has also not committed offences in and around Hereford for some time.

George Cousins, defending, said since Croke had come out of prison in December he had "turned his life around."

He said: "There were a number of breaches of various orders on previous occasions. "They are, quite simply, linked to a time when he was homeless and as a result, mixing with a number of people spending most of their days drinking. He was also suffering ill health issues... with his leg now getting better.”

Croke was also found to be in breach of a conditional discharge which he was given last September for a public order offence.

Magistrates decided to fine Croke £50 and he was ordered to pay £85 costs and a victim surcharge of £20.

The order was amended so there is now just one prohibition which is not to behave in such a manner that is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to another person or in a public place or where the public have access.

The conditional discharge will now run until December.