A teenager has been banned from playing football by a North-East court after driving people mad with his ball skills.

Durham magistrates made 15-year-old Dean Bell subject to a strict anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) that prohibits him from being in possession of a football in a large area of his home town for two years.

They acted after the court heard how the teenager had made locals' lives a misery with his passion for kicking a ball.

Magistrates heard how Bell would go for a kickabout in the street with no regard for his safety or the safety of other road users.

PC David Barrass said: "Dean kicked footballs in the street with total disregard for traffic and property.

"It was not uncommon to see him in the middle of the main road with traffic backed up in both directions while he kicked the ball 30 to 40ft up in the air.

"He also used to use the bus stop as a goalpost. At one point, I had 12 footballs which had been confiscated from him in barely two weeks."

The court was told that between March and September, Bell had frequently kicked footballs in Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham - placing at risk the safety of car drivers and other road users and causing damage.

Bell's footballing antics came on top of a litany of bad behaviour against staff and customers at the Pelton Co-op. He had followed one member of staff to her home address on a number of occasions, prompting more complaints.

Bell also harassed a teacher from the local Roseberry Sports and Community College after being excluded. The man said he was subjected to threats and abuse.

PC Barrass said the final straw came when Bell threw something at the teacher's car.

Bell, of Hylton Terrace, Pelton, accepted the Asbo, which also prohibits him from going within 100 yards of the community college, damaging property, congregating outside a list of takeaway premises, or inciting others to commit these acts.

He was handed a map of Pelton marked with the area where he is not allowed to be in possession of a football.

PC Barrass said: "Asbos do work. Ever since getting the summons to appear in court Dean's behaviour has improved."