Raving mad An Oxfordshire raver is the first in the country to be banned from organising illegal parties anywhere in England and Wales under the terms of a unique Asbo.
Ryan Hawkins at the turntable Police described 21-year-old Ryan Hawkins as a ‘major player’ in the Oxfordshire rave scene who was responsible for organising several illegal events last summer, mainly on The Ridgeway.
Hawkins, of New Shifford Cottage, Standlake, near Witney, was handed an Asbo by Didcot Magistrates yesterday banning him from organising, performing at, or providing equipment for illegal raves for two years.
But Hawkins said he would continue to act as a DJ and promote legitimate events, as allowed by the order.
Guy Lemon, representing Thames Valley Police, told magistrates that raves caused considerable distress to residents.
Among the places where he admitted he had organised raves were Scutchamer Knob and Blowing Stone Hill on The Ridgeway, Hurst Hill near Cumnor, and at White Oak Green, Hailey, near Witney.
Mr Lemon said: “Police obtained statements from landowners, residents and users of the Ridgeway detailing the distress on their lives.”
He added that research had shown that Surge Sound System had been instrumental in organising 16 raves in the Thames Valley area last summer and the main organiser behind Surge was Hawkins. He added: “There can be no doubt, police say, that Ryan Hawkins is a major player in the organisation of raves in the Thames Valley area and beyond.”
Stephen Parker, representing Hawkins, told magistrates that his client accepted the order, and involvement in eight illegal events, and that on seeing information collected by police, had accepted that the raves had caused problems.
Insp Pete Downing said the action had been taken to protect communities from antisocial behaviour and protect those who attended illegal events, where there were no safety precautions.
Hawkins, who completed a music technology course at Abingdon and Witney college last year, told the
Oxford Mail after the hearing that he would continue to organise and DJ at legitimate events such as Project Storm at the Coven club, in Oxpens Road, Oxford.
He said he had been performing as a DJ since the age of 14 and got into the underground music scene through friends.
He said: “There are impacts on the community I didn’t realise at the time, but there is never violence and trouble. I would rather go there where there is no trouble, than to pubs where people get bottled.”
