A MAN has been banned from motorway services near Halesowen after a court heard he repeatedly caused problems for staff and upset customers.

Steven Hegarty, aged 41, of Kintore Croft, Bartley Green, Birmingham, was issued with a Criminal Anti Social Behaviour Order prohibiting him from entering Frankley Services on the M5 for two years - when he appeared before Redditch magistrates on Tuesday October 15.

Hegarty, who has 160 previous convictions for offences including theft and being drunk and disorderly, had been given a similar two-year CRASBO in June 2011. During that time he breached the order on four occasions and was jailed for two months.

Following the expiry of the CRASBO in June 2013, he began to return to the services and was charged with two thefts there in September after he helped himself to food and drink and became threatening and abusive towards staff who challenged him.

In the early hours of Tuesday October 15, police were called to the services again to reports of Hegarty being drunk and disorderly. When arrested he tried to punch and kick police officers and swore in front of customers, including an elderly couple.

He was brought before the court and issued with the order within hours. He was also fined £70 for being drunk and disorderly.

Inspector Sharron Cannings, of West Mercia Police, said: “Over the years there have been numerous incidents in which Hegarty has caused alarm, harassment and distress to staff and customers, due to being drunk and verbally abusive, and stealing from the shops at the services.

“Service stations are open around the clock so motorists can get food and drink and have a break from driving whatever the time of day or night, and staff and customers should not have to put up with such disruptive behaviour.

“The new CRASBO was issued within hours of Hegarty’s latest arrest and credit must go to the officers and staff who quickly put together the application and to the court for granting it.

“If he breaches the order again he is likely to face a much longer jail sentence - up to five years.”