Man sentenced for 46 offences in Worthing town centre

An offender who repeatedly breached a notice not to enter Worthing town centre has been jailed.

Matthew Greenaway was frequently found drunk in the town centre, abusing members of the public, exposing himself, and assaulting police officers.

It included spitting at officers and urinating in a police cell.

The 41-year-old appeared in court where he admitted a spate of 46 offences dating from April to August this year.

At Crawley Magistrates Court on 16 September he was sentenced to one year in prison.

His offences included:
• 15 shop theft offences
• 4 counts of assault, including two relating to ambulance workers.
• Possession of a knife in public
• Exposure
• 2 counts of being drunk and disorderly
• 10 assaults on police officers
• 7 counts of failing to comply with a Community Protection Notice

The court was told how in January this year a Community Protection Notice was served on Greenaway, of Clifton Road, Worthing, to prevent him being intoxicated in the town centre, and preventing him from entering a designated zone.

However he repeatedly breached the notice.

The court was also told how on one occasion on August 2 this year, two paramedics were called after he was found unconscious lying on the floor, but he roused himself with a clenched fist and threatened them.

Meanwhile during assaults on officers on 13 June, after being arrested for exposing himself he shouted homophobic abuse to one officer and tried to kick another in the throat.

On 20 June, he attempted to headbutt and bite police, and spat at officers who had to use Pava spray to safely detain him and arrest him for shop thefts and possession of a knife in public.

Speaking after the case, Superintendent Andrew Saville said: “This conviction will be a relief for residents, businesses, visitors, paramedics and police officers.

“Greenaway’s repeated abusive and appalling behaviour while intoxicated in the town centre was simply not acceptable and will not be tolerated. 

“We continue to work hard alongside partner agencies and businesses to identify prolific offenders and keep the community in Worthing safe.

“We also encourage anyone impacted by shop thefts and anti-social behaviour to report incidents to us, to help us build a clear picture of crimes being committed to allow us to target resources and take action where we need to.”