A BULLY who picked on vulnerable women, luring them into violent relationships, has been jailed and banned from going near hostels and drug rehab centres he used to target victims.
Carl Whitfield has been handed a Criminal Anti-Social Behaviour Order (CRASBO) at court which prohibits him from entering exclusion zones around named refuges in Birmingham city centre and Moseley.
It's believed to be the first time nationally a CRASBO has been used in this way to help protect victims of domestic abuse.
Birmingham Magistrates Court heard how Whitfield, of no fixed address, loitered around the hostels – which help re-house homeless and vulnerable women – in the hope of striking up relationships with clients.
But these almost always turned violent, including one assault last November when he punched his ex-partner in the face and yanked out a clump of her hair during an argument on a bus.
Whitfield, 31, admitted three counts of common assault at the hearing last week (May 9) and was jailed for six months, plus four weeks for theft matters, in addition to being made subject to the CRASBO.
A restraining order was also granted which prevents Whitfield, upon his release, contacting one of his victims.
Investigating officer, Detective Constable Neil Powell, said: "Whitfield was aggressive and abusive towards staff and other service users at these refuges.
"The jail sentence and court order will protect vulnerable people and staff who have endured his poor behaviour for too long.
"Once in a relationship with these women – of which we know there were at least three – he would assault them, take their methadone and was very controlling and physically abusive even in public if they did not cooperate.
"CRASBOs were not initially set up to deal with domestic abuse cases and I believe this may be the first order of its type nationally – but certainly within the West Midlands region.
"The is a great example of the Public Protection Unit being proactive in our approach to tackling and responding to abuse offenders through the innovative use of powers available to us.
"I am really pleased that the court agreed with us and as a result we have protected vulnerable people in our community from further abuse from this man."
The exclusion zones will run indefinitely and only be lifted if magistrates are convinced Whitfield no longer poses a danger to women and staff at the centres.
Posters and flyers featuring Whitfield's image will be placed at the refuges to help staff identify him should he breach the order's conditions.
