A TEENAGER labelled a one-man crimewave who blighted the lives of shoppers in a former mining community has been barred from a supermarket.

Durham Constabulary yesterday secured an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) against Andrew Paul Westlake, 15, of Thomas Street, Annfield Plain, near Stanley.

The youngster, who will be 16 on October 25, was alleged to have harassed and abused elderly residents in a six-month reign of terror centred around the Co-op superstore, in Station Road.

Police solicitor Steve Mooney, who applied for the Asbo at Durham Magistrates' Court, said: "We are very pleased with this order. For a long time, Andrew was a one-man anti-social behaviour crimewave. He was a real nuisance and frightened elderly people."

The Asbo states that Westlake had committed a catalogue of offences dating from January to June this year.

He had thrown snowballs into the Co-op store and abused its customers, staff and security guards.

He had repeatedly thrown snowballs and eggs at residents' windows and at passing cars, and was also found in possession of alcohol in Annfield Plain Park.

He had trespassed in Annfield Plain Junior School and refused to leave, and tried to vandalise a bus stop.

Mr Mooney said: "He was basically blighting the lives of the people in that area and we had to take appropriate action."

The court imposed an order that bans the youngster from so much as setting foot in the Co-op car park.

It also prevents him from throwing objects at people or private property, abusing or harassing residents, and drinking alcohol in public.

The order will run until October 25, 2006 - Westlake's 18th birthday. Any breach of the Asbo could lead to a jail term of up to five years or a heavy fine.

Steve Warren, Co-op regional secretary, said Westlake was one of a gang of youths who had been causing trouble at the store.

"We are pleased to hear that an anti-social behaviour order has been issued," he said.

"Hopefully, it might act as a deterrent and make young people reconsider their actions.

"This is not just a nuisance, it is dangerous and the normal, decent people of Annfield Plain have had to endure their behaviour."