A VAGRANT who has become a familiar face in Penarth after setting up home in a nightclub doorway has been forced to up sticks and move - after a court banned him from entering the town centre.

Gareth William Cooper, aged 46, who gives his address as the doorway of the Oasis nightclub on Windsor Road, has been issued with an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) prohibiting him from entering the town centre area, following a string of offences.

Cooper had already been banned from several commercial premises in the town.

PC John Jones, Anti Social Behaviour Co-ordinator for the South Wales Police, Vale of Glamorgan division, said: "I am aware that Gareth is well known to the community of Penarth - to a point where he has become almost a permanent fixture, especially outside the Oasis club doorway on Windsor Road.

"Although he has been arrested on several occasions and convicted of offences, he is not deterred from conducting himself in an anti-social manner.

"He has continued to cause harassment, alarm and distress to the local community in Penarth with his constant drunken and aggressive behaviour.

"It was therefore felt necessary to apply for the Anti Social Behaviour Order to protect the wider community from further acts of anti-social behaviour by him."

Penarth sector Inspector Mark Taylor added: "Cooper's behaviour is unacceptable and portrayed a negative image of Penarth Town Centre to people who work in and visit the town.

"These people can now enjoy walking around the centre without fear of being harassed or intimidated.

"I would particularly like to thank the businesses in the town for their support in dealing with Cooper."

The ASBO is a variation of an order issued in March by Oxford magistrates, which prevents Cooper from begging in Oxford City Centre.

Earlier this month, PC Jones attended a hearing at Oxford Magistrates Court and applied for the Oxford order to be varied so it would apply to Penarth.

The application was successful, and Cooper was also issued with two further prohibitions - not to enter Penarth town centre; and not to consume alcohol in any public place within one mile of Penarth railway station.

The ASBO is in force until March 12, 2009.

* If anyone is aware of Gareth Cooper breaching his Anti Social Behaviour order, please contact Vale Police on 029 20 222 111 or Crime stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Last year Cooper tried to give up alcohol but a number of recent incidents have led to the ASBO being issued: * May 22: Cooper entered the Spar store and became abusive. Arrested for a public order offence.

* May 18: Police received a call of Cooper causing problems at the Bears Head. Arrested for being drunk and disorderly.

* May 11: Cooper entered the Tenovus shop and became abusive and aggressive to staff and customers. Arrested for public order offence.

* April 29: Cooper was found by officers face down on the pavement, intoxicated and lying in his own urine. He made abusive comments and was arrested.

* April 20: The local CCTV operator informed police Cooper was crawling across the main road. He became abusive toward an officer and Ambulance crew. Arrested for being drunk and disorderly.

* April 18: Found drunk in a shop doorway. Arrested for being drunk and disorderly.

* April 10: Cooper was sat in front of the Spar store making abusive comments to pedestrians.