Man urinated in York shop doorway – with someone sitting in it
A man has been fined after urinating in a shop doorway even though someone was sitting there.
Liam Thompson, 24, of Whiterose Avenue, York, was one of two men fined at York Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (February 27) for urinating in public.
Shortly after 11pm on Friday, December 22, a special constable on patrol in Swinegate witnessed Liam Thompson expose himself as he urinated in a shop doorway.
He did this right next to a person who was sitting in the doorway with his belongings and who was visibly distressed by his actions.
Having been approached by the officer, Thompson continued urinating before attempting to walk away. He pleaded guilty by post and offered an apology.
The court sentenced him to a £150 fine, a £30 court surcharge and £210 prosecution costs
Second offender
Jordan Louis Wilkinson, 24, The Village, Strensall was seen by a police officer on patrol in the city centre shortly after midnight on the morning of Saturday December 23, urinating in the doorway of a shop on Coney Street.
He didn’t attend court and was found guilty in his absence. The court sentenced him to a £150 fine, a £30 court surcharge and £210 prosecution costs.
Cllr Jenny Brooks, executive member for housing and safer neighbourhoods, said: “The city has a byelaw designed to combat this kind of anti-social behaviour which presents a public health hazard and places an additional burden on the council’s street cleaning team.
“While we welcome people to the city centre to enjoy all it has to offer, this sends a clear message to use the toilets in the establishment where you are drinking.”
Inspector Andrew Godfrey, of York City Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We are working very closely with City of York Council to make people think before they urinate in public places – and this partnership is one of several multi-agency plans in place to make sure York remains a safe, attractive city for both residents and visitors.
“I would ask that people continue to enjoy all that York’s night-time economy has to offer, but please be mindful of the negative effects of urinating in public.”