Plymouth man banned from Devonport

Julian Jones - given an Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction (ASBI) at Plymouth County Court
-Credit: (Image: Devon and Cornwall Police)


A Plymouth man who took over vulnerable people's homes has been banned from Devonport and risks being jailed if he enters that part of the city.

Julian Jones, aged 46, of no fixed abode, was given an Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction (ASBI) at Plymouth County Court last month because of his abusive behaviour and cuckooing vulnerable residents.

He was served the order on Wednesday August 21 following numerous incidents of him cuckooing, or taking over an address, for the purpose of drug-related activity.

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In May 2024, police and Livewest Housing saw an increase in reports of anti-social behaviour coming from a flat in Devonport. It caused many local residents to live in fear, afraid to leave their homes and go about their daily business.

Following collaborative work between the local community and partner agencies, police were able to conduct a Section 23 Misuse of Drugs Act (MUDA) warrant which was conducted on June 13 this year and confirmed that Jones was residing at the property and there were clear signs of drug misuse within.

Julian Jones - given an Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction (ASBI) at Plymouth County Court
-Credit:Devon and Cornwall Police

Jones continued to show complete disregard to the local community and was highly abusive to officers and Plymouth City Council staff. On Sunday July 18, police officers removed Jones and his partner from the property to prevent a breach of the peace and in his absence, housing officers acted to deny him further access.

Officers and council staff applied for a civil injunction to safeguard the tenant from harm, prevent the property being cuckooed again and protect the local community from associated anti-social behaviour (ASB) and criminality.

The ASBI was granted by Plymouth Crown Court on Thursday August 22 and prevents Jones from entering Devonport, with a power of arrest should he breach this.

It also orders that Jones requires the consent of the owner or occupier to reside or remain in a residential property, to deter him from cuckooing again and give the police robust options to deal with him should this happen elsewhere within the city.

Councillor Sally Haydon, cabinet member for community safety at Plymouth City Council, said: "This injunction is the culmination of many months of excellent multi-agency work between Devon and Cornwall Police and the Safer Communities Team of Plymouth City Council.

"These teams have shared intelligence, listened to the concerns of local residents, and built an evidential case around a serial perpetrator of cuckooing.

"By gaining an injunction with a power of arrest, it has allowed positive action to be taken against the individual and effectively safeguard those that are vulnerable to having their homes accessed and exploited.

"The council and the police work tirelessly together to ensure the most vulnerable, who are often unheard in other areas of society, have a voice as we seek to break the cycle of this challenging and impactful crime type."

Insp Paul Laity, sector inspector for Devonport, said: "Hopefully this result will confirm that we are committed alongside our partners to tackle such issues and protect our communities from harm. With the support of the public providing information to us, it ensures we can continue to crack down on this type of exploitation and associated ASB."

The civil injunction order imposed by the courts prohibits Jones from:

1. Entering the exclusion area at any time, save for travelling on a public transport or in a vehicle through the area or travelling through the zone for the purposes of attending pre-arranged court appointments, probation appointments, solicitors’ appointments, job centre and employment appointments, or drug and alcohol rehabilitation appointments. He is not to remain within the exclusion zone for more than 30 minutes prior to or after the appointment without reasonable excuse;

2. Residing or remaining in a residential property without the consent of the occupier;

3. Using threatening or abusive language or behaviour towards members of staff of Plymouth City Council.

Jones faces being arrested should he break Prohibition 1 between now and August 20 2026.

Anyone witnessing Jones breaching his ASBI is asked to contact the police on 101 or Plymouth City Council on 01752 668000.

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