A YOUNG woman has been banned from parts of Gravesend town centre “for the public’s protection”, a court has heard.

Emma Spowart of Homemead, Gravesend, was given an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) banning her from New Road and Clive Road for two and a half years. The 24-year-old’s ASBO also includes a countywide drinking ban, other than in pubs and restaurants.

A spokeswoman for Gravesend police said she was handed the order by Dartford magistrates on Friday, February 22, following a long history of drug-taking, drunkenness, aggressive begging and shop-lifting.

PC Suzy Clarke, town centre beat officer, said: “We want to improve the quality of the town centre so it is a safe and happy place to work, visit and shop.”

Jim Dick, prosecuting, said: “Miss Spowart finds herself in difficulty through drinking and begging.”

Last month Spowart received a 24-month suspended sentence for common assault.

Mr Dick said the conditions of the order banned Spowart from using “threatening and abusive language or gestures to people not of the same household or encouraging others to do so, and begging or otherwise asking any person not of the same household for money or other goods (other than in the exchange of payment) or encouraging others to do so.”

He added: “She is also prohibited from consuming alcohol anywhere other than inside a public house or a restaurant and from entering New Road and Clive Road.”

Nicholas Allan, chairman of the bench, said the ASBO was needed for the public’s protection following a string of bad behaviour by Spowart dating back to 1997.

Alan Thornley, North Kent Police ASBO officer, said: “A previous order of the same kind has been successful.”

If Spowart breaches any part of her order she could be fined and imprisoned.

The ASBO will be in place until August 22, 2010.