Anti-social behaviour teenagers in court

Four teenage boys who brought misery to the lives of residents have been punished for their actions.

The 15-year-old ringleader of the group, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been sentenced to four months at a youth detention and training centre.  His three teenage counterparts have all been handed two-year criminal behaviour orders (CBOs).  The CBOs prevent the three teenagers from associating with a number of other youths in the Crewe area and ban them from travelling on public transport without an adult.

Jayden Burdan

Reigan Gaffney

Riley Gaffney

The boys – Riley Gaffney, 14, Reigan Gaffney, 15, and Jayden Burdern, 13 – have also been handed three-month curfews meaning that they must remain in their home addresses between 6pm and 6am. The orders were issued at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 29 November as a result of partnership work between Congleton Beat Team, Crewe Beat Team and Cheshire East Councils Anti-Social Behaviour Team following a number of reports of anti-social behaviour in the those areas.

Inspector Penny Jones, from Macclesfield Local Policing Unit, said: “These youths wreaked havoc in Congleton for a number of weeks, targeting other youths and invoking fear and intimidation with people caught up in their wake. I hope that these punishments handed out by the court provides reassurance to local residents. I also hope that it sends out a very strong message that despite these boys being juveniles they are not above the law and this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated.  I would like to thank the members of the public who provided information to the police to allow us to tackle these matters robustly.”

Councillor Janet Clowes, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for adult social care and integration, said: “These young people’s behaviour impacted on members of the public and we had no alternative but to seek these Criminal Behaviour Orders alongside custodial sentencing for those that continue to persist with their offending. We hope the orders assist these young people by giving them the boundaries they need to improve their behaviour. In the case of a young person, taking a criminal case is always a last resort and our officers both within Cheshire Constabulary and Cheshire East Council have spent a considerable amount of time over several years to support everyone involved. However, there has to be a point at which we say, enough is enough, our residents have the right to live in peace and without fear and we must protect them from individuals who don’t respect this. We know it can be difficult but we would urge people to report anti-social behaviour to us.”

Sergeant Andy Baker, from the Crewe Beat Team, added: “The behaviour of this group of youths was totally unacceptable and I welcome the punishments that they have been given. We will continue to work closely with our partners to take robust action against those who persistently cause misery to members of our community with this kind of behaviour.  I urge anyone who witnesses any of the boys breaching their orders to report it directly to us on 101. Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”