FOUR men have become the first people in Selby to be prosecuted for urinating in public.

The by-law was first suggested last June, and brought into use earlier this year by Selby District Council, with the intention of clamping down on antisocial behaviour on the streets of the town.

Under the by-law, succesful prosecution could lead to a £500 fine, and the first four people to be prosecuted were caught by police relieving themselves in the streets of Selby during July and August.

The youngest were Matthew Luke Heslop, of Abbots Road, and Scott Sweeting, of Westbourne Road, both aged 19, who were found guilty and fined £60 each.

Gregg Adam Darlison, 24, of Templar Way, was found guilty and fined £90, while 28-year-old Daniel Burt, of The Laurels, Barlby, was fined £130.

All four men were also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £140 each and victim surcharges of £15 each, and a council spokeswoman said another 12 prosecutions would be brought before the court in November.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police, who pushed for the by-law to be brought in, said: “There is absolutely no excuse for this type of behaviour.

“We will not tolerate this anti-social behaviour and we hope the message is clear that now we have this weapon in our armoury we are prepared to use it on all occasions. Our message is clear – if you engage in any antisocial behaviour there will be consequences.”