A persistent beggar accused of taking drugs and urinating in front of shocked shoppers and workers on a road in Kensington has been banned from entering the street for 10 years.

Richard O’Brien has been told to stay away from Gloucester Road as part of a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) imposed on him on Tuesday (June 30) by Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

The court was told the 48-year-old would often indulge in the antisocial behaviour outside the Barclays branch on the road.

He had been arrested following numerous complaints about his behaviour, and warnings from the police.

He had also been offered help from the council with drug and alcohol issues but this was declined, the court heard.

As well as the Gloucester Road ban, the terms of the CBO state O’Brien, who lives in a hostel on Cromwell Road, Kensington, must not:

Loiter outside any bank or Tube station, except to conduct a reasonable transaction or make a journey Sit or lie on any pavement in England and Wales except in a medical emergency, to be determined by the Ambulance Service Sleep rough in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea while provided with accommodation by any London borough

Failure to comply with the order would be a criminal offence that could see O’Brien end up behind bars.

He had failed to attend the hearing this week, but was still given the CBO after admitted to offences at an earlier hearing in February.

As well as the CBO, the court also ordered O’Brien to attend a substance misuse assessment and comply with any recommendation to address alcohol and drug use.