大象传媒

Model in photo and not Aaron

In his own words, Aaron became a "nuisance to people" once he'd had a few drinks. He started his adult life as a regular in court and well known to the police.

In March 2008 he was handed three Anti Social Behaviour Orders (Asbos) in the hope of curbing his negative contribution to society.

"I think I deserve it because I was a pain in the neck and I was getting in a lot of trouble," Aaron told 大象传媒 Radio Suffolk's Jon Wright. "But now I've got the Asbo I don't hang around with those certain friends to not get me in trouble.

"So I'm not getting arrested as much now.

"They weren't fair giving me an Asbo from my mates, because I've known them all my life. But I'm not bothered about the one drinking in Suffolk, that's nothing really.

"I've been arrested so many times but I keep getting in trouble. They'll probably ban me from Ipswich one day."

Asbos were introduced in 1999 and are designed to prevent behaviour including theft, intimidation, drunkenness and violence by individuals and families who make life difficult for their communities.

As in Aaron's case, the orders often include restrictions on entering a geographical area or shop but can include bans on specific acts, such as swearing in public.

But do they work?

"I haven't breached them yet," said Aaron in July. "I've had them since March and they're not worth breaching really because I don't want to give the courts the satisfaction of me going back to court for breach of Asbo.

"I'd rather just do it for two years and when it's done I can hang about with my mates again.

"I still do minor crimes which is a bit stupid but I still do it.

"I just listen to my mates and that most of the time and do what they want to do - if they want to go out and do something I just go with them and do it. Easily led."

Asbo posters

Aaron's behaviour resulted in announcements being posted in local shops, bearing his newly-granted status.

"I had an Asbo poster in all the Co-ops in Ipswich saying I'm not allowed in the Co-op or the Shell and BP garages. I didn't really want my poster to go up because now everyone knows.

"Everyone in my estate knows what I'm like now."

Aaron points to two factors when asked what would make him change his ways - employment and stable accommodation.

"I do want to stop and change because it's a waste of life getting arrested all the time, but it's hard.

"I'm at a B&B at the moment. I haven't got any support or anything. I'm there on my own, I've got no job, nothing. Every night I just get in trouble.

"I've got no qualifications or nothing. I left school when I was about 15.

"I need a job and somewhere good to stay - I should be able to do it. I've been getting into trouble all my life basically so it's the only way I know really - just keep getting in trouble with the police.

"I've been in prison a number of times but I feel I will go back as I've got nothing out here for me. If I had a job or somewhere good to live, say if I was living at my mum's and had a job, I think I'd stay out of trouble.

"I'd like to be a carpenter or something like that - a painter and decorator."