The order was granted at Staines Magistrates’ Court on Monday, March 12.

At the hearing, magistrates were presented with in excess of 400 pages of evidence from the Surrey Police Anti-Social Behaviour Team outlining Etherington’s threatening and abusive behaviour over a number of years mainly targeted at ambulance and hospital staff.

The court heard that Etherington would attend Frimley Park Hospital, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Farnham Road Hospital and St Peter’s Hospital, Chertsey and act in an abusive and sexually inappropriate manner towards hospital staff.

The 37-year-old would often present himself at these local hospitals, sometimes multiple times daily, and then refuse to leave once treated. He was also frequently arrested for his drunk and disorderly behaviour not only in Guildford but other areas such as Manor Court in Weybridge and in Spelthorne.

The conditions of the Criminal Behaviour Order prevent Mr Etherington from:

1. Attending or loitering outside the grounds of Frimley Park Hospital, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Farnham Road Hospital or St Peter’s Hospital Chertsey unless he requires emergency medical treatment or has a prior appointment confirmed in writing.
2. Remaining inside or loitering outside the grounds of Frimley Park Hospital, Royal Surrey County Hospital or Farnham Road Hospital once he has been discharged and asked to leave by hospital staff or a Police Officer.
3. Entering or loitering outside of the Community Centre, Beverley Hall, 71 Haydon Place, Guildford at any time whilst issued with a formal banning letter from Guildford Action.
4. Entering a defined area at Manor Court, Elmbridge, at any time.
5. Behaving in a manner or inciting others to behave in a manner, either verbally or physically which causes, or is likely to cause, alarm, harassment or distress to any person in the County of Surrey.

Lucy Lumsden from the ASB Team at Surrey Police said: “Ben Etherington’s threatening and abusive behaviour has had a negative impact on the local community for some considerable time.  His multiple presentations at local hospitals have placed a significant drain on NHS resources, and clearly something needed to be done.

“The decision to apply for a Criminal Behaviour Order is always a last resort and we will always try to work with the individual first, to ensure they have the support they need to tackle their offending.

“Mr Etherington has been offered support from numerous different services ranging from alcohol treatment programmes to homeless charities, but for years he has consistently refused this help.   Despite being supported by a number of local services at this current time, Mr Etherington has continued to behave anti-socially.

“I very much hope that this order will assist in managing Mr Etherington’s behaviour in the future and ensure that local hospital staff and paramedics are protected from further incidents of his abuse.”

The order will remain in force for a period of five years. If Etherington fails to comply with any of the conditions of the order he will be committing a criminal offence and could be sent to prison or fined or both.

Surrey Police are asking the public to report any breaches to them on 999 in an emergency (ie breach happening now), or dialling 101. Any information you give will be treated confidentially.