A TEENAGER who spent 12 days behind bars after he flouted the terms of an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) has been allowed to go free.

Restrictions were placed on 16-year-old Michael Cuthbert and a friend in June for persistently trespassing and threatening staff at Durham Gilesgate Sports College and Sixth Form Centre.

Cuthbert was said to have ridden a bike at the headteacher, threatened the caretaker, shouted abuse at police and tried to kick out windows in a patrol car.

Lat month, North Durham magistrates sentenced him to four months' youth detention for twice breaching the terms of the order.

He appealed against the sentence at Durham Crown Court, and his barrister, Stuart Graham, said that supervision by the probation service would be more beneficial.

The hearing was adjourned on November 23 and Cuthbert, of Maple Avenue, Sherburn Road, Durham, was bailed to return to the court yesterday.

After reading a report prepared by the probation service, Judge Michael Cartlidge yesterday agreed to substitute the custodial sentence with a community-based penalty.

He imposed a six-month community rehabilitation order, overseen by the probation service, and ordered Cuthbert to do 15 hours of unpaid work.