A racist lout who repeatedly launched abuse at people in a city centre has been banned from the area.

The court order was imposed on David Tench, 33, after he racially abused a shopkeeper who refused to serve him alcohol in Canterbury.

A Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) has been imposed on him and means he is barred from going within a defined area inside the city walls, Broad Street and Pound Lane.

Officers have regularly been called to the city centre to deal with reports of the yob intimidating, shouting and swearing at members of the public since abusing the shopkeeper on June 10, 2020.

The order, which was granted at East Kent Magistrates' Court last Wednesday, is in place for two years and any breach would see him further sentenced by the court.

PC Chris Green from the Canterbury Community Safety Unit said: "Kent Police understands the impact that anti-social behaviour such as this can have on residents, businesses and visitors and is committed to tackling the issue to ensure the city remains a safe and pleasant place for all.

"We took this step as a last resort to protect those using the city centre, and hope the court order will lead to Mr Tench improving his behaviour.

"Anyone who witnesses Mr Tench breaching the order should report it to us so that we can take action and we hope the court order stands as a warning to others that we will not tolerate abusive or drunken behaviour of this kind."

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