A HEREFORD sex offender who smacked a police officer on her bum has been banned from the city centre.

West Mercia Police said Hereford Magistrates Court granted a two-year criminal behaviour order against Raimonds Debenko.

The 33-year-old was convicted of sexually assaulting a community support officer, police said.

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Debenko, of Pomona Place in Hereford, was said to slap the officer on her backside and acting in a manner that caused her distress.

Police said Debenko also caused a significant level of anti-social behaviour in Hereford city centre – in particular in and around the Eign Gate area.

Often when drunk, he caused disruption to businesses and to members of the public who use the area.

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The court sentenced Debenko to an 18-month supervision order, with a 20 days rehabilitation requirement and 200 hours unpaid work.

Debenko was also ordered to pay £150 compensation to the officer and additionally to pay court cost. He was also required to sign the sex offenders register.

A criminal behaviour order was granted against him for a period of two years.

This order prohibits him from entering the Eign Gate area at any time, from entering any commercial premises in Hereford city centre, from acting in any manner that is likely to cause alarm, distress or harassment and from being in possession of any open item containing alcohol in the same area.

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Jim Mooney, the police community safety officer who made the CBO application, said: "For too long Debenko and others have caused significant disruption in the city centre.

The police have and will continue to take all necessary steps to remove and reduce risk and harm to the communities of Herefordshire.

Debenko had been given many opportunities to change his ways but has persisted in acting a disruptive manner towards others – including businesses in the Eign Gate area – the result being that many felt distressed and alarmed by his conduct.

"The granting of this order will prohibit his presence in many locations and will restrict his day to day activities."

Any breaches of this order should be reported to the police by calling 101, or via the police website.