Swaffham man John Watson has court order extended which bans him from entering Breckland

A Swaffham man who was jailed for breaching a criminal behaviour order (CBO) has now had it extended.

John Watson was given the three-year order in January 2019 after being convicted of drug possession as part of a police operation targeting rural crime.

He was subsequently jailed by Norwich magistrates after breaching the CBO twice in just a few weeks.

Now, police have secured a two-year extension to the order, meaning it will run until August 2023, following a court hearing in Cambridge on Thursday.

Officers say Watson, 33, has breached the order on two other occasions and they will act if he does so again.

Inspector Matt Howes, of Norfolk Police, said today: “These orders are aimed at tackling persistent offenders with restrictions to deter them from committing crime.

“We continue to proactively target all areas of crime, including rural offences deploying preventative measures and working with our partner agencies.

“If evidence is obtained or Watson is found in breach of the order by officers, the order gives us the power to arrest him.”

Under the restrictions of the order, Watson is barred from:

Entering the policing area of Breckland except to attend the Splashes site at Swaffham via the A47.

Associating with co-defendants from the original case outside of their respective home addresses

Entering or be found inside or within 10 metres of any farm buildings or farm outbuilding nor to enter or be found inside any other non-dwelling outbuilding except one he owns or one he has the prior written permission of the owner. Permission should be produced upon the demand of a police officer.