Cheltenham man receives injunction for anti-social behaviour

Thomas Stephenson, of Isbourne Road, Cheltenham failed to appear at Gloucestershire County Court on 18th September 2025 and was given an injunction in his absence. The injunction was in response to continued anti-social behaviour in and around Cheltenham spanning over a year.

Solace, a partnership between Cheltenham Borough Council, Gloucester City Council, Gloucestershire Constabulary as well as other support services and partners, were alerted to Stephenson when he was rough sleeping in the town – although he does own his own home. He was causing harassment, alarm and distress by leaving his belongings in doorways, littering, behaving aggressively to members of the public and shop keepers, shouting, exposing himself and leaving his dog unattended and off the lead.

Solace officers along with Cheltenham Borough Council’s neighbourhood team and local police officers tried numerous times to engage with Stephenson to make him aware of the impact he was having, offer help and support and to advise him of potential repercussions. As a last resort, and due to the severity of Stephenson’s ongoing and repeated anti-social behaviour, Solace successfully obtained a civil injunction.

The injunction, which is in place for 12 months and expires on 18th September 2026, comes with conditions and an exclusion area. Stephenson is prohibited from:

• engaging in conduct which causes, or is capable of causing, alarm or harassment or distress to any person living in, or visiting, the town centre of Cheltenham
• using or threatening to use violence against any person living in, or visiting, the town centre of Cheltenham
• entering or being in clearly defined areas outlined in blue on the map attached at any time.

Cllr Victoria Atherstone, cabinet member for safety and communities, said: “We are very much aware there are often deep-rooted and complex reasons for this type of severe and on-going anti-social behaviour. There is often a lot of tragedy and chaos associated with the lives of those individuals involved which is extremely sad.

“However, such serious and persistent anti-social behaviour is totally unacceptable and balanced with the need to keep our town safe and welcoming, protecting individuals from threatening and aggressive behaviour, enforcement action had to be taken.  

“We will not hesitate to take action when required to protect our communities and will work diligently with offenders to offer help and support through positive and appropriate interventions.”  

Any breaches of the Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction will result in Stephenson being arrested or receiving an unlimited fine.

Anyone who witnesses Stephenson breaching the order is asked to contact the police on 101 or 999 if an offence is taking place.

If you are concerned for a person who is rough sleeping, please report this through a Streetlink referral at https://www.streetlink.org.uk/. Streetlink reports go directly to an outreach team who will then visit the location and assess the person’s needs.

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