A man will spend Christmas in prison after refusing to stop living in a tent in a children's play area.

Families have been complaining about Wayne Myers since he pitched his tent more than two years ago, deterring parents from bringing their children to the park.

But this week, after failing to leave after being issued with a court order and being abusive to members of the public, Myers has been jailed.

A woman living nearby, who did not want to be named, said earlier this year: “My mum has asked him nicely to move the tent as he is literally at our fence but he replied by sticking his middle finger up.

“An elderly lady on an adjoining road will no longer go in her garden as she is intimidated by him.

“No kids play there anymore. More people need to know about this happening so we can get him removed.”

The council used a community protection warning against Myers in June, which told him to stop camping in Lionfields Park.

But he ignored the warning and was issued with a community protection notice, which he also turned a blind eye to.

The council then took Myers to court - but he failed to turn up and continued to live in the tent.

After not appearing in court for a second time, a warrant was issued for his arrest and he appeared at Medway Magistrate's Court on Thursday, December 15 via videolink from Canterbury police station.

He said he intended to remain in the park.

Magistrates sentenced Myers to two months in prison, with a 12-month supervision order upon his release.

This means that if he returns to the tent after being released, he will be recalled to prison.

Cllr Alan Horton of Swale Borough Council said: “Mr Myers’s ongoing presence in this recreational area prevented others from using the area and it also resulted in the council receiving a high number of complaints about the unsanitary conditions in which My Myers chose to live.”