Press Releases

National three-year ASBO for Scrap Metal Manny (PR 895)

A 68-year-old from Hanwell, West London, has been slapped with a three-year country-wide ASBO for turning part of the town into an on-street garage for his scrap metal business.

Manny (Emmanuel) Bignall, of Cambridge Road, was also caught driving without a licence and insurance. He was given a year’s driving ban and ordered to pay £800 in fines and court costs.

On Thursday 21 December 2006, Ealing Magistrates’ Court heard how Bignall had made the lives of his neighbours a misery through his anti-social antics.    

In addition to carrying out on-street car repairs and blocking the road and pavement with scrap metal and car parts, magistrates found there was overwhelming evidence that the pensioner had threatened and intimidated his neighbours.   

He landed himself in court following a joint operation by Ealing Council and police to restore peace to the residential road.

Council and police officers visited the area in September 2006 and found cars and vans being dumped in Cambridge Road and in the car park of the Red Lion pub.  In total seven vehicles, including one stolen car, were found.   Five untaxed vehicles including the stolen car were removed with two taxed cars driven off by Bignall.

Councillor Will Brooks, cabinet member for environment and transport, said: "We will not tolerate our streets being abused in this way for the ill-gotten gains of cowboy traders. 

"People expect clean, tidy roads where they can enjoy living in peace.  We have ordered officers to take tough action against anyone flouting the law."

PC Stuart McNair, anti-social behaviour coordinator, Ealing Borough Police stated: "This is very welcome news for the residents of West Ealing and Ealing borough as a whole. Officers from Elthorne Safer Neighbourhood Team along with Ealing Council representatives have worked consistently with the local community over the past couple of months to secure this ASBO.  The effort and dedication shown highlights our commitment to the residents of Ealing borough that we are committed to tackling those problems that matter most to them.  We hope that the continued, appropriate use of the law will make Ealing a safer place to live, work and visit"

The conditions imposed by the Anti-social Behaviour Order state that Emmanuel Bignall is prohibited without reasonable excuse from:

A breach of any of the Anti-social Behaviour Order conditions, outlined above, leave Bignall open to arrest.

If you witness a breach of any conditions associated with Bignall’s ASBO, please contact:
Elthorne Ward Safer Neighbourhood Team on (020) 8246 9461
Ealing Borough Police (non emergency telephone number) on (020) 8246 1212

In an emergency, always dial 999.

Any residents who are experiencing similar problems should contact the council’s envirocrime team on (020) 8825 6000.

Ends.

Notes to editors: 
· Emmanuel Bignall was:
- disqualified from driving for 12 months
- fined £100 for having no driving licence
- fined £250 for having no insurance and charged £450 costs
· following his court appearance in December 2006, a post conviction application under Section 1c of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 for an ASBO was made, and granted after a contested hearing
· evidence was given by police, Ealing Council envirocrime officers and a local licensee.  Anonymous evidence was also submitted to the court
· the ASBO has been issued for three years and is in force throughout England and Wales