A man has been banned from Gloucester city centre for a year following numerous incidents of anti-social behaviour.

Stephen Ferraro, aged 40 and of Park Road, Gloucester, has been given the ban as part of an anti-social behaviour injunction (ASBI), which was served by Cheltenham and Gloucester County Court on 3 October.

The court heard that Ferraro had been involved in a number of incidents in which he was drunk and disorderly, verbally abusive to the Police and PCSOs, and had been involved in multiple fights.

The case was brought against Ferraro by Solace, a joint team of officers from Gloucestershire Constabulary, Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council.

Solace officer Matt Roberts said: "This behaviour is totally unacceptable. Ferraro has caused issues in the city centre, often while heavily intoxicated with alcohol. He has been verbally abusive to Police officers and PCSO's, and has used violence against numerous members of the public. This order was sought in an effort to curtail this atrocious conduct."

City Team PCSO Adam Stevens said: "Tackling anti-social behaviour within the city centre is a priority for us. We work with our partners including Solace and City Safe to tackle those who persistently cause problems.

"Ferraro's behaviour has had a significant impact on the businesses, residents and visitors to the City. This injunction shows we will not tolerate this behaviour and will take a partnership approach to tackling it."

Gloucester City Safe Manager Steve Lindsay said Ferraro had already ignored numerous warnings to change his behaviour.

He said: "Stephen Ferraro has been abusive towards the police and PCSOs, he has also effected many businesses in the city with his behaviour. He has received warnings, however continued to behave in a way which causes harassment, alarm and distress.

"This injunction not only protects the emergency services, public and businesses within the city, but also shows that these types of behaviour will not be tolerated, and Solace will deal with persistent offenders."

The civil injunction order imposed by the courts forbids Ferraro from:

1. Engaging in conduct which causes or is capable of causing alarm or harassment or distress to any person within the city of Gloucester;

2. Using or threatening to use violence towards any person within the city of Gloucester;

3. Being in possession of an open vessel of alcohol in public within the city of Gloucester;

4. Entering or being within the city of Gloucester at any time.

The order remains in force until October 3, 2023. He faces arrest should he break the injunction.

Anyone witnessing Ferraro breaching his ASBI is asked to contact the police on 101 or the Solace team on 01452 396396.