AN Oxford man who harassed travellers at Oxford Train Station for the past ten years has become the first person to be banned from the site.
Scott Hadlow was slapped with the Criminal Behaviour Order after a campaign of abuse in which he spat at, kicked and assaulted passengers and even threatened to stab them with dirty needles.
The 39-year-old is now serving a 10-week prison sentence for his latest attack, but once he gets out he will not be able to enter the station during peak hours.
He has also been banned from Oxford city centre and from sitting within 10 metres of a cash machines anywhere within the ring road.
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British Transport Police officer Matthew Autery, who is based at the station, hailed the order as a significant step in stamping out the years of offending.
He said: "This is the first time anyone has been banned from the station in Oxford.
PC Matthew Autery, left, with PC Craig Finch at Oxford Station.
"It's also the first joint application between British Transport Police and Thames Valley Police.
"He's someone who has been known to us for a long time and we often get three to four complaints a day about his behaviour.
"When I started two years ago, I decided a long-term solution was needed to deal with the issues.
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"Working with businesses and the city centre team, we were able to put together some compelling evidence for this order and are pleased to see it granted."
Hadlow was jailed by magistrates on January 24 after he assaulted a woman by beating her at the railway station on September 8.
He also admitted begging at the station on the same date and assaulting two men by beating them in George Street on June 16.
A regular in the Oxford Mail's Scales of Justice column, in the past year he has also appeared in front of magistrates for using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear or violence in Cornmarket Street on July 12, begging at the station on January 12 and assaulting a woman by beating her on March 3.
PC Craig Finch, Oxford's homeless liaison officer for Thames Valley Police, said: "He's caused problems all over the city.
"He asks people for change and, when they refuse, he would spit at them and throw things. He's threatened people with needles in the past.
"We have huge demand on our services so we would get these reports but, by the time we could get there, he would be gone.
"Now, if he breaches this order, it is an arrestable offence so it makes it easier to deal with him.
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"He was living in hostel accommodation in O'Hanlon House previously so was getting support.
"When he comes out of prison I will be visiting him in person and we will be looking to try to address his problems so he doesn't fall back into how he was before."
Criminal Behaviour Orders have been used sparingly by police since they replaced the notorious Anti Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) in 2015.
In November, Jason Tampin was banned from Abingdon for three years for persistent anti-social behaviour.
The 38-year-old homeless man was also told he must not light fires, destroy property that does not belong to him, or drink alcohol in a public place.
In 2017, Tom Skelton was banned from Wantage, Grove and Ardington for five years after repeated criminal behaviour which caused 'significant distress'.
Hadlow's order will be in place until January 2021 and also requires him to engage with Turning Point, the city's drug rehabilitation service.
He will be allowed to catch a train at the station – but he must show a valid ticket and board the next train available or he will be arrested and could face five years in prison or a fine.
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The order applies from 7am until 7pm, Monday to Friday.
Amanda Stratford, who works at the City Sightseeing office in the station, said Hadlow had abused and pushed her daughter outside the station a few months ago.
She said: "At that stage it seemed more needed to be done.
"It is not nice to see, there are a lot of tourists here and he was very regularly around.
"Hopefully he can get some help and support."
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