MARCUS Lategan has been ordered to pay £418 after he was caught urinating in public at Alexandra Parade in Weston-super-Mare in June 2024.

The case was brought to North Somerset Magistrates Court on September 27.

It was heard in the defendant’s absence, and Lategan was found guilty for failing to comply with a Public Space Protection Order (urinating in a public place).

He was ordered to pay a total of £418.

Councillor James Clayton, North Somerset Council’s executive member for safety in the community, said: “Anti-social behaviour like public urination is completely unacceptable and a criminal offence.

“Alexandra Parade has recently been a hotspot for anti-social behaviour and street drinking.

“We’ve been working closely with Avon and Somerset Police to tackle these issues, including increasing police and council officer patrols, running high-visibility days of action and working with local businesses.

“We’ve also been using our enforcement powers, such as dispersals, Public Space Protection Orders and Community Protection Warnings.

“This successful prosecution demonstrates our continued commitment to tackling this issue. I’d like to thank our Anti-social Behaviour Investigation Team for their hard work, and our CCTV control room team, who caught the offence on CCTV.

“Over the next few months, we’ll continue to increase our enforcement of Public Space Protection Orders to challenge anti-social behaviour in our public spaces.”

He added: “If you witness anti-social behaviour anywhere in North Somerset, please let us know by using our online form www.saferstrongerns.co.uk/reportasb

“Or, if there’s any area in North Somerset where you feel unsafe, you can let us know anonymously using the StreetSafe tool.

“We’ll use your reports to work with the police and deliver targeted support to the areas where you need it most. Find out more at https://saferstrongerns.co.uk/information-advice/community-schemes-watches/streetsafe.”

Councillor Robert Payne, North Somerset Council ward member for Weston-super-Mare central, said: “Tackling anti-social behaviour in central Weston, particularly around Alexandra Parade, is vital.

“It’s essential that all the agencies take this issue seriously, work together and take a strong line using the available powers, and so I am pleased to see this prosecution as part of this.”

Public urination breaks the area-wide Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in force in all public spaces across North Somerset.

Find out more at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/pspo.