A Sussex man has been banned from harassing female passers-by.

Adam Richards, 30, was barred from obstructing, touching or insulting women in Lewes after town magistrates imposed an antisocial behaviour order.

He now faces a maximum five-year jail sentence if he continues to intimidate random members of the public. Richards, of St Pancras Gardens, was targeted under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 after shouting crude insults at women and blocking their way in the High Street.

Magistrates took action after a two-day hearing in which they heard details of his antics and evidence from some of his victims. Sussex Police, who brought the case, say it is the first time such an order has been imposed in the county. They told how they received 33 complaints about Richards shouting insults, intimidating and blocking the path of women.

Inspector Neil Moscrop said the order was made as a last resort to stop Richards, who has more than 20 previous public order and alcohol-related convictions.

He said: "All other possible courses of action had been explored. The public of Lewes clearly needed protection from the behaviour we ourselves had witnessed. This is an excellent example of how, with support from the community, conduct of this nature can be challenged."

Insp Moscrop praised female victims who gave evidence during the hearing. He said: "A lot of women wouldn't give evidence because they felt so intimidated, so we are very grateful to those who appeared and helped us get this order.

The order bans Richards from obstructing women in any public place, using abusive and/or insulting words or behaviour and making non-consensual contact within the Lewes district.

It is designed to crack down on nuisance behaviour in the community through co-operation between the police, council and community groups. Richards' previous offending has included punching a female train ticket inspector, being found unconscious in the street grasping eight cans of lager, and chasing a shop assistant along the road.

Insp Moscrop added: "We have always dealt with him for offences at the lower end of the scale such as being drunk and disorderly. But the longest sentence he has ever got is only three months, which has not shocked him into confronting the fact he has got a problem."

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