A COURT order has been issued against a man to protect people in a North Yorkshire coastal town from his alleged drunken and intimidating behaviour.

James Andrew Thornton, 34, whose behaviour has had a negative impact on people in Filey, has been banned from being drunk in any public place in the country until 2021, North Yorkshire Police said.

At Scarborough Magistrates Court, Thornton was made subject to an amended criminal behaviour order.

The order requires Thornton to not be in a state of drunkenness in any public place in England or Wales, and not to be in possession of any open container of alcohol in a public place. It will remain in force until 31 December 2021.

A previous order, with different conditions, was put in place on December 31, 2015.

However, since then, Thornton has continued to commit acts that caused harassment, alarm and distress in the town, according to North Yorkshire Police.

PC Phil Charlton, of Filey Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "Filey is a wonderful place to live, work and visit, and people quite rightly expect to be able to go about their daily lives without having to witness drunken, intimidating behaviour.

"Thornton has been given every opportunity to change his behaviour and obtain specialist assistance in relation to any alcohol issues he has.

"However, despite the hard work of the police and many partner agencies, his actions have continued to have a negative impact on the lives of residents and visitors in Filey.

"Breaching a criminal behaviour order is a serious offence for which someone can be arrested and potentially sent to prison. I hope that this order will result in Thornton modifying his behaviour, and provide respite to the Filey community."

Anyone who becomes aware of any breaches of a criminal behaviour order should phone North Yorkshire Police on 101.