An Ilfracombe man has received a fine for breaches of a Community Protection Notice (CPN) against him, following a successful prosecution from North Devon Council.

Stephen Cox, of Oxford Park, Ilfracombe, was found guilty in absence for failing to comply with a CPN served to him in October 2024 at a hearing at Barnstaple Magistrates' Court on 11 March 2025.

A CPN can be imposed on individuals over the age of 16 where their conduct is unreasonable, consistent, and has a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the community.

Cox's CPN requires him not to consume alcohol or be in possession of any unsealed or open containers of alcohol in a public place within the council's Public Spaces Protection Order areas, as well as Ilfracombe's Wildersmouth, Cheyne or Harbour beaches. The CPN also prohibits antisocial behaviour such as shouting and swearing and public urination.

The court heard that Cox was seen drinking cider in Ilfracombe High Street on 12 January and in Wilder Road car park on 16 January. He was also seen to be in possession of an open can of cider in the High Street on 20 January.

Cox was ordered to pay a £120 fine, a victim surcharge of £48 and £50 in costs.

Chief Executive of North Devon Council, Ken Miles, said: "Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our community is a top priority and while issuing a Community Protection Notice to someone is not a decision that is taken lightly, we will take robust action against the small minority who persistently commit antisocial behaviour in our community.

"Our Public Spaces Protection Orders are in place to protect our residents and visitors, and we will continue to work with our partners to ensure North Devon, and in this case Ilfracombe, is a safe and pleasant place to live, work and visit."

The council's Facebook page provides regular updates from its ASB team about the work it conducts in the community on a daily basis. All activity relating to the council's work to combat ASB can be found using #NDCsaysnotoASB.