Inside
Out investigates ASBO in Middlesbrough
Inside
Out, BBC ONE (NE & Cumbria), Monday 12 January, 7.30pm
BBC
ONE's Inside Out examines whether the anti-social behaviour orders
in the region are a successful new tool or more akin to a sledgehammer
being used to crack a nut.
Presenter
Chris Jackson investigates the example made of a boy of 13
in Middlesbrough who is the subject of one of the Home Office's
new Anti-Social Behaviour Orders for five years.
Ashley
Lindo has three convictions for criminal damage and throwing eggs
and snowballs, but his family say they are all suffering the punishment
of being named and shamed in the community.
Robert
Butler, who was attacked by eggs and snowballs by Ashley, says:
"He's a little horror for a couple of days and then he goes
quiet for two or three weeks and then he comes alive again and causes
more problems."
The
ASBO restricts Ashley from visiting certain areas of Middlesbrough
and curbing his behaviour.
It
is enforced by street wardens who say that the community must play
its part in the fight against anti-social behaviour.
Senior
Street warden Steve Crick says: "We have put his picture on
leaflets and put down all the things he's done to upset people.
"It's
now down to the people, the residents. We have put it back into
their hands to report him."
But
Ashley's parents don't believe that the ASBO will work.
His
mother, Alison Lindo, tells Inside Out: "I am devastated, but
I don't know where to go for help.
"He
seems to be getting the blame for a lot of things. People are bound
to have caused him to be like he is and at the end of the day if
he turns on people after the end of the ASBO, who's fault will that
be? Not mine."
Ashley's
father also believes the order has caused his son to become withdrawn
and the family are now receiving hate mail, which is affecting all
of them.
Neil
Addison, Ashley's barrister, says he believes Ashley is no worse
than other juvenile offenders, but fears that the naming and shaming
of Ashley could lead him open to danger.
"Compared
to many, he comes from a decent home and his mother cares for him.
I am aware of cases where juveniles' identity being known has led
to them being beaten up," says Mr Addison.
"The
Anti-Social Behaviour Order is more of a punishment than anything
the courts could have given. The naming and shaming publicity is
far more of a punishment."
Juveniles
who appear in court are not usually named publicly, but because
of the ASBO Ashley's name and picture have appeared on the front
page of the Evening Gazette.
Editor
Steve Dyson says: "We see it as our responsibility to the local
community to identify him; to tell people what he's said to have
done in court and to tell them what he's now not allowed to do."
But
Home office minister Hazel Blears denies that the ASBO is a punishment
for Ashley or his family.
She
says: "People have lived with anti social behaviour for far
too long and I think it's right that we should support the community
in taking action."
She
says the Anti-Social Behaviour Orders are not a punishment, but
simply require that people behave properly and treat others with
respect.
In
Ashley’s case, it also seems to be working with no new reports
of anti-social behaviour.
But
for his family, they feel it is a sentence that they are all living
under.
Inside
Out is broadcast on BBC ONE in the North East & Cumbria and
across the UK on digital satellite channel 945.
Notes
to Editors
Please
credit
BBC ONE's Inside Out if any of this story is published.
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