A 26-year-old who repeatedly intimidated, assaulted and damaged Cromer and its community has been given an anti-social behaviour order as police try to curb his destructive behaviour.

A 26-year-old who repeatedly intimidated, assaulted and damaged Cromer and its community has been given an anti-social behaviour order as police try to curb his destructive behaviour.

Steven Schofield was given the Asbo following a conviction for common assault at Cromer Magistrates' Court this month.

The order, which lasts for three years, has a number of conditions including a ban on entering much of Cromer town centre between 7pm and 8am each day - unless he is visiting the cinema.

Police said since Schofield moved to the town in September 2009 they had repeatedly received reports of intimidation, damage and assault - particularly in the Cadogan Road and Cabbell Road areas.

Sgt Sarah Blyth, of Cromer's neighbourhood policing team, said officers had tried to address the problems but it had only got worse.

She said: 'Repeated attempts were made to intervene and engage with Mr Schofield to try and deter him from this behaviour over the course of some many months. Unfortunately these did not prevent an escalation of his behaviour and a number of people from the community came forward with their evidence to demonstrate that they continued to feel intimidated and in fear of further harm.

'The granting of an order such as this will go some significant way in controlling the behaviour of Mr Schofield and afford the community the protection that they seek.'

The Asbo was issued on January 4 after Schofield was convicted of assault against Tracey Barton. He will return to Cromer Magistrates' Court to be sentenced on February 3.

Schofield, now of St Edmundsbury Road, King's Lynn, was also previously banned from entering Felbrigg after a similar string of problems over a number of years when he lived there.

This is the third successful Abso application by Cromer's NPT in the last six months. Sgt Blyth said, although the orders were issued as a last resort, the team was working towards a number of others which could lead to other troublemakers being banned from the town.

The conditions of the order, which lasts for three years, mean Schofield must not:

Enter any licensed premises in Cromer, except supermarkets;

Be in possession of any alcohol in an open container in a public place in Cromer;

Enter an exclusion zone, covering much of Cromer town centre including Church Street, the pier and Meadow Road car park, between the hours of 7pm and 8am - except to go to the cinema with a pre-purchased ticket;

Associate with Simon Bates in a public place;

Contact, or engage in conduct causing or likely to cause a nuisance or annoyance to, Daniel Alexander, Jane Elwood, Penny Elwood, Robert Harman, Wayne Brown, Tim Hipperson, Sam Simpson, Matthew Brett or Kylie Hewitt.

To report a breach of an Asbo, contact Norfolk police on 0845 456 4567.