Winchester offender handed Criminal Behaviour Order

Following months of dedicated work by the Winchester City Neighbourhood Policing Team, 44-year-old Joseph Jay Flowers of no fixed abode has been handed a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).

Criminal Behaviour Orders, which have replaced ASBOs, are imposed by a court and can restrict where you go, who you associate with, and what activities you are allowed to take part in. Breaching the order is a criminal offence, which can lead to a prison sentence.

Flowers has continuously been involved in criminal behaviour in Winchester City Centre which has had a detrimental impact on the livelihoods of residents and businesses.

The order, which was handed to Flowers on Friday, 29 September, at Winchester Crown Court, was given in conjunction with an 8 month sentence for public order and assaulting two Business Improvement District (BID) Rangers, a PCSO, and a Police Officer on 17 August.

The court heard how the Rangers responded to a report of theft from Marks and Spencer when they were assaulted by Flowers.

Later the same day, Flowers assaulted a PCSO and an officer during arrest. He also shouted homophobic abuse toward a PCSO.

He was sentenced to eight months in prison, with a further six months added from a previous suspended sentence in connection with an assault on 24 June 2022.

Under the conditions of the CBO, Flowers is banned entering Winchester High Street – including any retail premises, Maurice’s Covert, and the Winchester Cathedral grounds.

He is also banned from consuming any alcohol, or other intoxicating substance, in a public place, and acting in an anti-social manner in an area defined on a map.

If he does not abide by these rules, he could end up in prison.

The order is in place for two years.

Chief Inspector Korine Bishop, District Commander for Winchester, said: “Joseph Flowers has caused misery to the local community and local businesses for far too long.

“As part of our commitment to relentlessly pursue criminals, we have worked tirelessly with partner agencies, including the Community Safety Partnership and Winchester Bid, to ensure that something is done to put a stop to his behaviour. Our aim is, and always will be to keep our communities safe.

“I hope this CBO reassures the local community that while there may not always be the evidence to pursue a criminal conviction through the courts, we will continue to investigate and build a bigger picture to seek an alternative route to tackling criminal and anti-social behaviour.

“We will be undertaking further work in the community off the back of this result, and continue to encourage anyone who is affected by anti-social behaviour in the area to contact us via our website or by calling 101.

“I would also like to congratulate my team on securing yet another Criminal Behaviour Order in the city.”