Police Tackle Aggressive Street Drinkers in Putney
Towards the end of 2018, Thamesfield Ward received numerous complaints about street drinkers congregating around the entrance to Putney BR station. The group were causing a great deal of anti-social behaviour, intimidating local residents, local businesses and those travelling through the station.
When challenged, the group became aggressive. In particular, one individual, 58 year old Christopher Keeley, was at the heart of this behaviour. When a new start-up wine business The Sampler opened next to the station, they came into conflict with Keeley, who saw the area as his territory. His anti-social behaviour increased, as he threatened the proprietors and a Putney BID ambassador. On two separate occasions, he also stole up to £500 worth of goods from TK MAXX.
PC Vincent Chan, the ward officer for Thamesfield, built a comprehensive case against Keeley, who received a custodial sentence of 12 weeks. Having failed to appear at court, Keeley relocated to Wimbledon in an attempt to avoid his sentence. However, he continued to harass the wine businesses proprietor, who also had a branch in Wimbledon. On a number of occasions, Keeley made threats of violence towards him, so PC Chan again built a comprehensive case against him, this time for witness intimidation.
Thanks to PC Chan’s hard work and the overwhelming evidence, Keeley eventually pleaded guilty to the charges of witness intimidation. He received a custodial sentence, this time for 10 months, and a 2 year restraining order that prevents him from contacting the victims, entering Putney High Street or being within 50m of the wine company’s Wimbledon business.
PC Chan said, “The transformation at the entrance of Putney Train station is clear for all to see. However, more it is important for the public to know police take witness intimidation with the upmost seriousness. The freedom of witnesses to give evidence free from any fear of reprisal is paramount to our judicial system.”
June 21, 2019