Nottingham’s top beggars behind bars after breaching Criminal Behaviour Orders
Three caught flouting anti-begging laws
Christopher Brealey, 55, with no fixed address, was nabbed in Nottingham city centre despite a court-issued Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) banning him from the area. The CBO, handed down in March 2023, targets persistent begging—allowing access only to specific service points.
Officers from the city’s Operation Compass team spotted Brealey lurking on Milton Street and arrested him on 4 April. The next day, the court handed him a two-month jail sentence for breaking the CBO.
Stolen goods and repeat offences
Also cuffed was 64-year-old Frankie Smart from Grove Avenue, Arboretum, caught with stolen items on Thurland Street the same day. Charged with two counts of theft and breaching his own CBO, Smart admitted all offences at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court and was remanded in custody, awaiting sentencing.
Another beggar jailed for defying order
John Sallis, 36, also homeless, was arrested on Wheeler Gate for violating his CBO, also issued for persistent begging. He appeared in court on 5 April and was slapped with a hefty 24-week prison sentence.
Police vow zero tolerance on antisocial behaviour
Sergeant Jono Pothecary, boss of Operation Compass, said: “My team have worked relentlessly to get CBOs for these three prolific offenders. These orders are crucial in tackling serious and persistent antisocial behaviour.”
“The message is clear: if you breach a CBO, you will go to prison. Officers did well to catch these rule-breakers and bring them to justice. These orders don’t block access to support services—our aim is to help break the cycle of offending. But enforcement was necessary and fair in these cases.”
“Nottinghamshire Police is committed to cutting antisocial conduct in our communities. We hope this action reassures the public that we’re doing everything possible to crack down on such crime.”
