Enfield man gets suspended sentence for breach of gang injunction

A man who breached one of the UK's first gang injunctions has been given a suspended prison sentence after he broke its terms.

Enfield Council and the Metropolitan Police obtained injunctions against Dylan Martin, 19, of Edmonton, on 5 May.

West London County Court heard on 28 July that he had breached the order seven times in four months, mainly by congregating with known gang members and intimidating residents. He also entered part of Edmonton from which he was banned.

Martin was found guilty of all seven breaches and sentenced to two months' imprisonment for each, 14 months in all. The sentence was suspended for two years.

He was warned that if he breaches of any part of the injunction in the next two years he will serve the full sentence.

The original order also barred Martin from inciting violence on the internet, wearing gang colours and possessing offensive weapons.

Christine Hamilton, Enfield’s cabinet member for community safety, said: “We will not tolerate violent behaviour, and the gang injunction is just one method Enfield Council uses to disrupt gang activity and tackle the crime and disorder they cause on our streets.

"Dylan Martin is now in the last chance saloon. If he steps out of line again he will be in jail. Our residents have the right to live without fear of intimidation and violence and I'd urge judges to hand out tougher sentences in future to any gang related offence taking place in our borough.”

Borough commander, Chief Superintendent Dave Tucker, said “We will continue to use all avenues available to us to challenge the behaviour of gang members.”