Teen given Asbo for homophobic hate campaign

By Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk • February 22, 2006 - 0:00

Aaron Bissmire, 18, led a gang which tormented and abused residents from the Cardigan Estate in Bush Hill Park

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A teenager who subjected a gay man to a homophobic hate campaign has been given an anti-social behaviour order.

Aaron Bissmire, 18, led a gang which tormented and abused residents from the Cardigan Estate in Bush Hill Park. Enfield Magistrates Court issued him with a three-year behaviour order banning him from misbehaving in the neighbourhood.

Bissmire is also banned from visiting parts of Bush Hill Park and from hanging around in gangs. If he breaches it he faces up to five years in jail.

PC Steve Hodgson, the anti-social behaviour co-ordinator, said he hoped the Asbo would encourage more victims of hate crime to come forward. He said: "Bissmire homophobically harassed one resident and we also identified that he is part of a gang that was causing anti-social behaviour."

"We hope this Asbo will send a clear message to these youths that if they want to continue with this behaviour then this could happen to them."

"We will be monitoring Bissmire very closely and would ask the public to report any breaches of the Asbo to us, and we will quickly make arrests."

Cllr Ertan Hurer, Cabinet member for community safety, said: "This Asbo serves three purposes. One is to bring some peace and safety to those who have experienced this torment; the second is to give the perpetrator a chance to make amends and the third is to send a clear message that hate crime will not be tolerated."

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