York Magistrates have ordered nine men to pay total costs of £2,772 for urinating in public, following joint action by City of York Council and North Yorkshire Police to tackle anti-social behaviour.

On Tuesday 5 November 2019, York Magistrates heard that Emlyn Thomas (aged 37 of Sutton Way, York) was seen, visibly intoxicated, by a BID Ranger at 9:10pm on Friday 9 August 2019. Mr Thomas was found, a short while later, urinating in the doorway of an Estate Agents on Micklegate, York.

Mr Thomas failed to attend court or submit a plea and was found guilty in his absence. He was fined £40 with a £32 surcharge.

Lyndon Johnson (aged 57 of Bishops Court, York) was also seen by a BID Ranger, urinating in Tower Gardens, York, at 8:55pm on Friday 2 August 2019. Mr Johnson pleaded guilty by post and was fined £80, ordered to pay costs of £144 and a surcharge of £32.

Simon Stone (aged 32 of Teal Drive, York) was found by a police officer urinating in a doorway on Coney Street, York, at 1:10am on Saturday 3 August 2019. Mr Stone pleaded guilty by post and was fined £80, ordered to pay costs of £144 and a surcharge of £32.

Adam Sutton (aged 29 of Portsmouth Road, Thames Ditton) was seen by police officers, urinating against an alleyway opposite Knavesmire Public House, York, in the vicinity of a large crowd, at 5:30pm on Saturday 27 July 2019. Mr Sutton apologised for his actions and pleaded guilty by post. He was fined £350, ordered to pay costs of £144 and a surcharge of £32.

On Tuesday 19 November 2019, York Magistrates heard that Lewis Greenwood (aged 27 of Ploughmans Croft, Bradford) was seen by a police officer, urinating against a tree on the Knavesmire, York, at 5:15pm on Tuesday 21 August 2019. Mr Greenwood pleaded guilty by post and was fined £146, ordered to pay cost of £171 and a surcharge of £32.

Josh Raynor (aged 20 of Badgley Lane, Pudsey) was seen by a police officer, urinating against a wall between two businesses on Coney Street, York, at 10:30pm on Saturday 7 September 2019. Mr Raynor apologised for his actions during the incident and pleaded guilty by post. He was fined £109, ordered to pay cost of £171 and a surcharge of £32.

Craig Russell (aged 26 of Mayfield Drive, Armadale, Scotland) was spotted by police officers, urinating against the wall of St Martin’s Le Grand Church, Coney Street, York, at 10:50pm on Saturday 24 August 2019. Mr Russell pleaded guilty by post and was fined £128, ordered to pay costs of £171 and a surcharge of £32.

Daniel Boyle (aged 26 of Front Street, Acomb, York) was seen by police officers, urinating against the door of a business on Church Street, York, at around 1am on Saturday 14 September 2019. Mr Boyle apologised for his actions immediately and pleaded guilty by post. He was fined £158, ordered to pay cost of £171 and a surcharge of £32.

Tom Jeffrey (aged 32 of Thatch Leach, Oldham) was found by police officers, urinating in an area opposite the allotments on Albermarle Road, York, at around 6:30pm on Saturday 27 July 2019. Mr Jeffrey pleaded guilty by post and was fined £173, ordered to pay costs of £171 and a surcharge of £32.

Tom Brittain, Assistant Director for Housing & Community Safety, said: “Thanks to our neighbourhood enforcement officers and our colleagues at North Yorkshire Police and York BID for the continued joint effort to tackle anti-social behaviour in York.

“While we welcome people to York to enjoy the city, we will take action against people who spoil the city. All licensed premised are required to provide toilets for customers. To find out where your nearest toilet is, visit: www.york.gov.uk/map/PublicToilets.”

Inspector Andy Godfrey of York Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Urinating in public is offensive, unhygienic and illegal. It puts an additional burden on the council’s services as well as spoiling the city centre for others. These convictions should serve as a warning to anyone who thinks they can get away with it. We’ll continue to work with the City of York Council to keep York a safe and pleasant place to visit.”