Raging Beggar Banned From The City Centre

AN aggressive beggar who threatened female shop workers has been banned from parts of the city centre. 

On one occasion he threatened to stab a female shop assistant and on another he threatened to smash a female shop worker’s glasses. 

Anthony Cooper, aged 52 and of no fixed abode, has also been banned from staying in any shop, commercial or hospital premises after being asked to leave by staff. 

Manchester City Council obtained an anti social behaviour order (ASBO) against Cooper after working closely with Greater Manchester Police and city centre businesses. 

Anthony CooperThe ASBO prohibits Cooper from entering an area between the inner ring road and Corporation Street after he intimidated staff by walking into shops while drunk and asking for money or to use the toilets in an aggressive manner. 

He would become abusive and threatening toward staff when they asked him to leave and would refuse to go away. 

On one occasion he threatened to stab a female shop assistant and on another he threatened to smash a female shop worker’s glasses. 

He had also drunkenly screamed abuse at strangers on Piccadilly Gardens in July, while he was within ear shot of young children and shoppers. 

Staff from city centre businesses helped secure the ASBO by provided witness statements which were used during the hearing. 

The order, which also bans Cooper from using any threatening or offensive language in public or from approaching named witnesses, lasts until 1 November, 2017, and Cooper can be sent to prison if he is seen breaking any of the conditions. 

Cooper is banned from an area bounded by the inner ring road (A665), Corporation Street, Cross Street, Albert Square, Southmill Street, Peter Street, Oxford Street and Oxford Road.