A man who targeted lone female joggers in the Penzance area has been banned from approaching women by order of magistrates.

A Criminal Behaviour Order has been given to 29 year old Clifford Morgan, from Penzance, who appeared via video link in Truro Magistrates Court on Tuesday 13 December.

During the hearing he pleaded guilty to three separate charges in which he had targeted three lone women and caused them considerable alarm, harassment and distress. Morgan barged one victim and followed the other two, and made comments perceived to be of a sexual nature, whilst they were out for a jog.

Devon and Cornwall Police, the Crown Prosecution Service and Cornwall Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Team had argued that as a result of Morgan’s dangerous behaviour and his lack of engaging with support services, a Criminal Behaviour Order should be made to restrict him from being able to approach women in the future and protect the wider community.

Truro magistrates placed a lifetime order on Morgan saying he “must not approach, contact or follow any female in a manner that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress”.

The prosecution comes as a result of staff from Cornwall Council working closely with colleagues from Devon and Cornwall Police to address a very serious anti-social behaviour issue. Criminal Behaviour Orders are a valuable tool to prevent further or escalated anti-social behaviour and stop the harm caused to innocent victims.

Tom Styles, from the ASB team, said: “This shows the power and flexibility of the anti-social behaviour tools and powers. Orders like this are not made without serious consideration to the perpetrator, the victims and the wider community. If this individual chooses to continue to target people and cause them fear and distress, he can now be arrested and imprisoned for up to five years, given a fine up to £5,000, or both.

“We encourage members of the public to report any incidents to the Police via the 101 number for non-emergency or the 999 number for emergencies.”

Sergeant Gemma Freestone, from Penzance, said: “This man was given sufficient opportunity and support to change his behaviour but he continued to frighten innocent victims. The Criminal Behaviour Order will provide additional powers to us should he breach this.”