A TEENAGER who was handed an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) for beating up strangers in unprovoked drunken attacks has been jailed.

Mark Blowes was warned by police he faced prison when he was served with an Asbo last August after he committed physical assaults on people in the street.

However, the 19-year-old failed to heed the warning and was jailed yesterday at Teesside Crown Court for two assaults, affray and two breaches of the Asbo.

The court heard that a month before he was served with the order, he drunkenly beat up a van driver in an unprovoked attack. He punched and kicked Craig Johnston after asking him what he was looking at, and then demanding a cigarette.

David Brooke, prosecuting, said: "Mr Johnston, trying to defend himself, grabbed the defendant's shirt. As he did that, the defendant's two friends set about him, punching him a number of times."

Mr Johnston was able to restrain Blowes until help arrived. Blowes denied the assault, but was found guilty last month.

The court heard that on October 14, the teenager went to a house in Eaglescliffe, Teesside, and attacked his friend because he believed he had started a relationship with his girlfriend.

A 13-year-old girl and the householder were distressed by the incident.

In the final assault, in November, Blowes, who was drinking a bottle of cider, attacked Robert Round, who was walking along the street.

The victim suffered a broken nose, two black eyes and cuts and bruises.

Jonny Walker, defending, said: "He is going to be taught an almighty lesson today for his stupidity."

Blowes, of Dunkery Close, Ingleby Barwick, who had just finished serving two-and-a-half months for assaulting a policeman, was jailed for three years.