29 November 2011

A 26-year-old man responsible for a number of assaults in Norwich has been jailed.

Anton Willis, of Chantry Road, Norwich, has also been made the subject of a Criminal Anti-Social Behaviour Order (CRASBO) with conditions banning him from entering pubs and clubs in the city for three years.

Willis appeared at Norwich Crown Court yesterday, Monday 28 November, after he pleaded guilty to wounding causing grievous bodily harm.

The charge related to an incident which happened in the early hours of Saturday 18 June when Willis approached another man on Prince of Wales Road attacking him in the street. The victim, a 42-year-old man, was hit in the face and suffered swelling, bruising and injuries to his nose.

Willis was also admitted a count of assault relating to an incident on June 10 when he was involved in an altercation with a woman in Lace nightclub. He threw a drink over the victim who then slipped over.

He was also convicted of threatening behaviour following a domestic incident in Freeland Close in Taverham on September 8.

Willis was sentenced to a total of 12 months and six weeks imprisonment and made the subject of a CRASBO which will last three years.

Under the order Willis must not: 

• enter any licensed premise within the inner ring road with the exception of shops
• enter Norwich City Centre as defined by the inner ring road daily between 8pm and 8am expect Chapelfield East and Chantry Road for the purpose of gaining access to his home address
• be drunk in a public place

The CRASBO was made on conviction after the court heard Willis had been involved in several alcohol-fuelled incidents of violence and anti-social behaviour in the city centre late at night and into the early hours at weekends.

Norwich Chief Inspector Dennis Lacey said: “We are pleased with the decision by the court to grant the order which will have a significant impact on controlling Willis’ behaviour once he leaves prison.

“This should act as a warning to others that violent behaviour will not be tolerated in the night time economy and that offenders will be dealt with robustly.”