Man admits setting fire to Southport Pier THREE times
Gerrard Doherty's now been handed a criminal behaviour order
A Southport man has been given a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) after admitting starting three fires on Southport Pier.
Gerrard Doherty, 53, appeared in court last week charged with starting three separate fires on the decking of Southport Pier in December last year and January this year.
Doherty admitted three counts of arson.
He was sentenced to an 18-month community order with 80 hours of unpaid work and a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 25 days.
The court also imposed a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order.
Restrictions under the order
As part of the order, Doherty must not enter Southport Pier.
He must not be in possession of any articles in a public place which may be used to start a fire.
He must also not light any fires in a public place.
If he breaches the order, either by doing something prohibited or failing to follow a positive requirement, he can be arrested without a warrant and face up to five years in prison or an unlimited fine.
Partnership aims to tackle antisocial behaviour
The order was secured as part of work by the Merseyside Antisocial Behaviour Partnership (MASP), which brings together more than 20 organisations including housing associations, local authorities and charities to tackle antisocial behaviour across the region.
Chief Superintendent Karl Baldwin, who chairs the partnership, said: "The sheer recklessness of starting fires means that such an order needs to be in place as a deterrent to Doherty. The consequences of his actions could have been devastating, like any arson carried out in our communities.
"CBOs and other preventative orders need multi-agency working to be achieved, and are powerful tools in dealing with antisocial behaviour. Such effective joined up working is why the MASP was set up, and we will continue to share information between the agencies, and use all tools available to stop problems from escalating, and tackle anti-social behaviour where you are.
"When the public asks ‘who is responsible for dealing with antisocial behaviour’, we are striving for the answer to be ‘we all are: together' so keep reporting issues to us and we will take action."