A MAN from Bude has been jailed and issued with court orders following a string of public order offences.

Gary McGill, aged 61, appeared at Truro Magistrates’ Court on May 21, 2024 where he was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison.

The court also issued McGill with a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) and Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) in relation to these offences.

In November 2023 police began receiving reports of a man behaving in a verbally aggressive manner and making references of a sexual nature towards women in Bude.

McGill was identified with help from the local community and arrested by police. He was later released on conditional bail but continued the behaviour. He was arrested a second time for further offences and for breach of bail and was remanded by the courts ahead of sentencing.

McGill was convicted and sentenced for five counts of threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

Local neighbourhood beat manager, Nina Sargent said: “‘McGill was unknown to local police in the early phases of this investigation and with the help of the community and their support, especially on Facebook, we were able to identify him and support the victims.

“It was with the continued support of the community providing evidence and reporting incidents that we were successful in securing the Sexual Harm Prevention Order outside of a conviction.

“I am pleased with the court result for the sake of the victims - violence against women and girls is a force priority and will not be tolerated.”

PC Sargent added: “I am proud to have become part of the Bude community and I hope this outcome offers some reassurance to those who have previously been concerned about reporting such matters to the police.”

The Criminal Behaviour Order prohibits McGill from entering certain areas of Bude for three years (until May 21, 2027), specifically entering the area of the Strand in Bude and entering two premises on Belle Vue and the Strand.

At a hearing in February, McGill was issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order by the courts. The order is in place for five years (until February 13, 2029) and prohibits him from: Having any contact or communication of any kind with any female under the age of 16, other than with adult or social care consent; intentionally follow any female or any group of females, specifically approach any lone female other than when it is inadvertent and not reasonably avoidable in the course of lawful daily life in addition to remaining in contact with or communicate with any female who has made it clear that she does not want such contact.