A violent thief has been prohibited from entering Sheffield city centre after he was handed a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).  

Gavin Reynolds, 34, was found guilty on charges of assault, racially aggravated harassment and criminal damage last Tuesday at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court. 

Reynolds, of Lytton Crescent, had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a class B drug, theft and criminal damage in Sheffield city centre. 

However, he was found not guilty of two counts of assault, using threatening behaviour to cause harassment, using threatening behaviour to provoke violence and possession of a Class C drug during the earlier trial. 

Acting Inspector for Sheffield City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) Darius Razaghi said: “Reynolds was a menace to shoppers and workers in Sheffield city centre and this order now prevents him from setting foot in the area. 

“We are glad this order has been approved and we hope it will give Reynolds the chance to think about his actions and the misery he has caused others in the city centre.” 

Reynolds was also handed a 21-week suspended sentence, alongside the strict conditions of the CBO. 

The terms of the behaviour order prohibit the repeat offender from entering Sheffield city centre, with the exemption of meeting with solicitors, attending court appearances and appointments with Benefits Agency, Probation Service and NHS.  

Reynolds is also banned from sitting, sleeping or loitering in areas accessible to members of the public with any article that gives the impression of ‘begging,’ approaching people to ask for money, and encouraging others to use ‘foul, abusive, insulting, offensive, threatening, disorderly or intimidating language or behaviour in any place in Sheffield or towards any person’. 

Acting Insp Razaghi added: “CBOs are used to deal with people who are known to engage relentlessly in antisocial behaviour or low-level crime, and they are not used lightly. 

“If Reynolds breaks any of the terms of this order, it would be a civil contempt of court which can lead to a fine or imprisonment.” 

South Yorkshire Police urges anyone who witnesses Reynolds breaking the terms of his CBO, or any other criminal activity in the city centre, to contact them via 101, or to submit information via https://www.southyorkshire.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/