ASBO served on man who attacked Brighton toilet attendants

A man who attacked and homophobically abused two toilet attendants in Brighton has been served with a criminal anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) by magistrates.

Patrick Burke, 48, of Malling Street, Lewes, carried out the attack in the public toilets in Prince’s Place, Brighton, close to the Royal Pavilion.

He also racially abused a shop assistant in Lewes after being refused alcohol because he appeared drunk.

Brighton and Hove City Council and Sussex Police applied for an ASBO after Burke was convicted of two assaults and a public order offence.

Patrick Burke

The council said that the Community Safety Casework Team (Anti-Social Behaviour and Hate Crime) in the Safe in the City Delivery Unit secured the order on Wednesday.

The order prohibits Burke using foul or offensive language of a racist or homophobic nature and from causing harassment, alarm or distress to anyone in Brighton and Hove or Lewes.

Peter Castleton, the newly appointed anti-social behaviour and hate crime manager for the team, said: “Police and council officers working together in the team have brought about a swift conclusion to this case that sends out a clear message to potential offenders that racism and homophobia will be robustly dealt with.

“I hope that such cases also illustrate to the community that they can have confidence that such offences and behaviour will not be tolerated and will be acted on.”

Councillor Ben Duncan, chairman of the Community Safety Forum, said: “It’s unacceptable for anyone to be assaulted or have to face homophobic abuse.

“This case shows that we take such behaviour very seriously and will not tolerate it.

“This is a demonstration of the Community Safety Casework Team’s effective partnership working with Sussex Police.

“This sends a message out to residents that they do not have to tolerate such behaviour and we want to praise and thank those that came forward.”