Asbo sought to tackle residents' fear

12:08am Wednesday 15th October 2008

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TERRIFIED victims of a notorious hardman are so intimidated they have built up a wall of silence for fear of violent reprisals, a court has heard.

Peter Francis Hall struck so much fear in his home town that Cleveland Police and Middlesbrough Borough Council have joined forces to try to persuade Teesside Magistrates' Court to hand him an ASBO or Anti-Social Behaviour Order.

In two unprovoked attacks on complete strangers in the same night Mr Hall punched a man waiting in a car outside a pizza takeaway and then broke the jaw of a customer waiting inside "Bite In" nearby.

Peter Laverick who has a metal plate and wire in his jaw following the assault on September 24 last year withdraw his statement but the full extent of the attack was captured on CCTV.

In his report Mr Laverick, said: "I fear what he could do to me and I am constantly on my guard in Middlesbrough town centre."

Mr Hall, 30, of Easterside Road in Middlesbrough, is renowned to police officers following numerous reports of domestic violence against his former partners Leandra Watson and Kerry Harrison, said Joan Smith prosecuting.

On April 22 this year Miss Watson, who has two children with Mr Hall, was at a wake following a funeral at the Viking pub in Middlesbrough when he punched her in the face.

PC John Bonner said Mr Hall's attacks were fuelled by alcohol and a violent temper.

He said: "The police owe it to the people of Middlesbrough and his victims to stamp this out. He has had lots of chances but they are over now. Prison is the only other option to an ASBO to get him off the streets."

The case continues today.