A Ramsbottom resident has been given a three-year ASBO after he ignored repeated warnings about his abusive behaviour.

Traders have now welcomed a ruling that bans Paul Platt from going into their shops.

Bury Council applied for an anti-social behaviour order after the 28-year-old, of Hillside Road, verbally abused shop staff in Unsworth and Ramsbottom, as well as health workers.

He also intimidated and threatened bus and Metrolink passengers.

Platt’s victims reported him to Bury Council, whose staff asked Platt to sign an acceptable behaviour contract.

Platt agreed to sign the contract and change his ways, but the incidents continued and Bury magistrates handed him a three-year ASBO at a hearing last week.

The order states that, until July, 2017, Platt must not drink or be drunk in public, swear at or verbally abuse people in public, threaten people in public or misbehave on buses and trams.

He is also banned from entering parts of Bridge Street in Ramsbottom and cannot go into Bargain Booze in Bolton Road West, Ramsbottom, Tesco Express in Irwell Street, Ramsbottom, or the Co-op shops in Parr Lane, Unsworth, and Vernon Road, Greenmount.

Platt could be jailed if he breaches the ASBO.

One shopworker, who asked not to be named, said: “This is a welcome relief to me and my colleagues and to the people who work at the other shops.

“Just before he got the ASBO, he came into the shop and was standing in the doorway shouting abuse at customers and threatening to spit at staff. It’s not the kind of thing you come to work for.”

The council’s communities representative, Cllr Jane Lewis, said: “The council and police have repeatedly tried to support Paul Platt in getting the help he needs to address his anti-social behaviour.

“However, he has persisted in causing nuisance and distress to others.

“The council and its partners are committed to putting a stop to behaviour that undermines the quality of life of our residents.”

  • Anyone suffering from anti-social behaviour can call the council on 0161 2535353 or, if they are a Six Town Housing tenant, 0161 6868000.