The oldest Asbo in town

A 62-year-old man has become the oldest person in the Newark area to be issued with an anti-social behaviour order.

Wilf Baker’s offending has included stealing a policewoman’s hat and wearing it through the Market Place, flashing his bare bottom at a pub landlady, again in the Market Place, while wearing nothing but a dressing gown, and having to be rescued from the River Trent by policemen after accepting a dare that he could swim across.

His bizarre behaviour has included riding his bicycle through the Old Post Office pub on Kirkgate, and trying to direct musicians playing in the Market Place.

Baker, in his trademark long black coat and hat, appeared at Newark Magistrates’ Court on Monday, where the Asbo was granted.

He said in court: “May I suggest that we give the proceeds of the past 15 to 20 minutes to Children In Need?

“No, then may I take this opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.”

The Asbo will last for two years and has four conditions.

Baker must not enter any Newark town-centre pub, its carpark, or beer garden.

He is banned from consuming, or being in possession of an open, or opened, vessel of alcohol, in a public place within Newark town centre. (He was given a map showing the town centre limits).

He must not associate with Julie Coyle, Timothy Drury, Donna Oliver or Paul Bryan either in a public place, or within his home at Queen’s Road, Newark, or its communal spaces.

Baker is prohibited from having any contact, either directly or indirectly, with Mr David Seabrook, who is a neighbour.

If Baker breaches the order he is liable, on conviction, to up to five years in prison, a fine, or both.

The Asbo was sought in order to protect the public from further anti-social acts.

It followed a guilty plea by Baker for an offence of disorderly behaviour committed in Newark Market Place where he flashed his buttocks at a pub landlady.

He was fined £75 with £100 costs.

Speaking afterwards, Acting Inspector Mark Burrell, of Newark Police, said: “He has been arrested, charged and convicted numerous times.

“This is a great result for us and we hope that he will adhere to the conditions, otherwise we will be taking appropriate action against him, as we would with anyone else.

“Wilf has been a nuisance and a menace to the community for 18 months or more.

“He is banned from all of the pubs but continues to go in and cause problems for them when they refuse to serve him, not least when he rode his bicycle through the Old Post Office.

“Families don’t want to be subjected to his behaviour.

“His neighbours suffer badly and I hope that their lives will be made easier.”