Teenager who entered Hackney home for internet ‘prank’ handed criminal behaviour order

Bacari-Bronze O’Garro

A teenager who was filmed going into a private property in Hackney for a prank has been given a criminal behaviour order and a fine.

Footage posted on social media showed Bacari-Bronze O’Garro, 18, walking into someone’s home through an open front door, speaking to a resident inside and briefly sitting down on a sofa before leaving.

He was arrested on Monday after the video went viral and charged with failing to comply with a community protection notice.

O’Garro pleaded guilty at Thames Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

He was issued with a two-year criminal behaviour order (CBO) that bans him from trespassing on any private property, uploading original videos to social media sites, and visiting Westfield Stratford City.

The teenager could face imprisonment if he fails to comply with the order.

He was also hit with a £200 fine, an £85 victim surcharge, and £80 costs.

Other videos posted on the internet show him making apparently unsolicited approaches towards members of the public in the street or on transport.

Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway of the Central East Command Unit said: “There has been extensive and prominent comment on this case in the media, on social media and within our communities. I want people to know that we have shared their concern and that my officers have taken swift and robust action.

“The CBO issued is a powerful measure designed to prevent behaviour which has caused alarm and distress to our communities. If the conditions are breached, at any point over the two-year period, a custodial sentence can result.

“Some people have referred to these as ‘prank’ videos, but I hope that this outcome demonstrates just how seriously we have been taking this investigation and the understandable public alarm, since this footage began circulating online.”