Serial Chesterfield criminal with 54 convictions admits breaching ASB order

Adam Devine was hauled before magistrates on July 15 after concerned witnesses phoned police to report his behaviour near the Texaco garage in Hasland on May 21.

Devine, 34, was said to have shouted at and harassed his partner - using “threatening and insulting words” and “demanding money”.

However Chesterfield Magistrates Court heard at the time of the offence Devine was still subject of a criminal behaviour order - which are used to tackle serious antisocial behaviour.

Devine was due to stand trial, having pleaded not guilty to four assaults against the same victim.

However, Devine’s partner did not attend and was therefore unable to give evidence.

Prosecutor Rahul Kumar applied to read her statements against Devine as “hearsay” evidence.

Mr Kumar told the court the Crown Prosecution Service’s position was that Devine’s partner was “in fear” of giving evidence in person.

The court heard excerpts from her statement about Devine in which she said “if I didn’t leave he would have killed me”.

However magistrates rejected Mr Kumar’s application “in the interests of justice”, while the court heard the trial had already been adjourned once before when Devine’s partner “took too much of her medication” and was unable to give evidence.

As a result the Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence and the case was dismissed.

Devine, of Talbot Crescent, Hasland, – already remanded into custody – was released immediately.

A magistrate told him: “Time already served is proportionate to your beach of this order - although the order remains in place and you must not breach it again.”

He was made to pay £85 court costs and a £128 victim surcharge.

The court heard Devine had 54 convictions for 119 offences - including shop thefts and public order offences.

Devine has been before the courts many times - including in March 2019 after being spotted in the middle of a road in Birdholme with his trousers down.

Chesterfield magistrates heard on that occasion Devine - admitting possession of a class B drug - had smoked Mamba and “did not know what had happened or where he was”.

A message from Phil Bramley, Derbyshire Times Editor: Support your Derbyshire Times by becoming a digital subscriber. You will see 70 per cent fewer ads on stories, meaning faster load times and an overall enhanced user experience. Click here to subscribe