Man banned from Harborough for attacking a police officer and damaging war memorial

Leigh Marlow, 35, has had a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) put on him.

And he could face further punishment if he breaches the order, police have warned.

Marlow, of Aikman Close, New Parks, Leicester, admitted one count of assaulting an emergency worker last October.

He also pleaded guilty to one count of causing criminal damage – the attack on the iconic 6ft metal Tommy.

The offender was given a one-year community order, which included an alcohol treatment programme, at Leicester magistrates’ court.

The hardline CBO was handed to Marlow by a judge on January 8 and lasts for five years.

It bans him from:

- Entering any part of Market Harborough, unless he is visiting a person known to him at an address in Bowden Lane

- Causing harassment, alarm, distress, pestering or intimidating or speaking any offensive, lewd or obscene language to any female in a public place who is not previously known to him If he is told by any female to stop, desist or leave them alone or the reaction of the female suggested they did not want to engage or communicate he must not engage or communicate further

- Being drunk or consuming alcohol in any public place other than a licensed premises.

Sgt Peter Jelbert, based at Market Harborough police station, said: “Last year, Marlow assaulted police officers as they attempted to arrest him.

“In light of this, and previous offending, we applied for him to be subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order.

“This has now been secured and prohibits Marlow from entering certain areas and premises he has been banned from and we hope this will now deter him from committing further offences.”

He urged people in Harborough to call police on 101 immediately if they spot Marlow flouting his CBO.

“We would ask the public to contact us if they witness Marlow breaching the terms of his order,” added Sgt Jelbert.

“If you have any information please contact 101.”

Fury erupted after Marlow bent the aluminium Tommy at Harborough’s town centre War Memorial – and escaped with a community order.

After the incident on Friday October 11, Stewart Harrison, 72, chairman of the Royal British Legion’s Market Harborough branch, said: “It’s very disappointing this idiot did not receive a stiffer sentence to reflect the seriousness of the offence.

“We are disappointed because this disgusting mindless incident has angered so many people in Harborough.

“The Tommy means a heck of a lot to a lot of people.”

The former army and RAF serviceman added: “The silhouette soldier is of huge symbolic significance – especially with Remembrance Day just weeks away.

“This attack has provoked a lot of anger and the attacker should be ashamed.

“At least he’s been dealt with swiftly by the police and courts.

“Let’s just hope he’s learned his lesson and never carries out this type of attack again.”

Erected on The Square in Harborough in June 2018 to mark the centenary of the end of the 1914-18 Great War, the Tommy was repaired in time for Remembrance Day.

The emotive transparent figure with his head bowed and rifle in his hand was erected by Harborough District Council.

The CBO can be given to anyone convicted of a criminal offence.

The order is aimed at tackling the “most serious and persistent offenders”, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.

For a CBO to be issued:

- The court must be satisfied, beyond reasonable doubt, the offender has engaged in behaviour that caused, or was likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to any person

- The court considers making the order will stop the offender engaging in such behaviour.