A COURT has banned a 64-year-old man from visiting Fishponds Road after police warned he is a “significant threat” to vulnerable women.
Martyn Bignell, of Alma Close, Kingswood, was made subject to a criminal behaviour order at Bristol Magistrates’ Court in August, banning him from entering three exclusion zones, which also include Warwick Road in Easton and the area around Portland Square and Brunswick Square, St Paul’s, for the next five years.
Avon & Somerset police said: “We sought the CBO after several vulnerable on-street sex workers approached our sex liaison officers and One25 charity to report their fears about Bignell’s behaviour towards them.”
Bignell had previously received a community protection warning and community protection notice banning him from the areas, but continued to return in breach of the orders to harass women.
The force said officers had made efforts to engage Bignell to stop his behaviour before he was charged and convicted of breaching the CPN.
The new order also bans him from soliciting a person for sexual services and contacting some of his repeat victims.
The maximum penalty for breaching the order is five years in jail.
Anti-social behaviour coordinator Tina McIvor said: “It’s clear that this individual was a significant threat to some of our most vulnerable women in Bristol.
“No one deserves to feel afraid for their safety and any form of violence against women and girls absolutely will not be tolerated.”