A MAN has been given an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) to stop him causing havoc in a town.

Harry Lancaster, 43, from Easington, County Durham, has been barred from drinking in the town's pubs, intimidating residents or entering shops from which he has been barred, under the order made by Durham Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Lancaster, of Wordsworth Road, represented himself in court and did not contest the application by Durham police.

The court heard how one pub landlord locked the front door of his pub when Lancaster arrived.

The statement, by Leonard Stones, from the Victoria Inn, Wingate, described how, when locked out, Lancaster began swearing and demanding to be let in.

Stephen Mooney, prosecuting, said: "This is the type of behaviour Mr Lancaster has shown with two other landlords.

"Mr Lancaster displayed similar behaviour to staff at local businesses. For instance at a local chemists, a furniture shop, the local hospice charity shop and the fish shop.

"It's my submission he has behaved on not just one occasion, but on several occasions. He mars the daily lives of members of the community. This behaviour has been on-going for some time."

Lancaster, representing himself, said he was very sorry and did not contest the proposed terms of the order.

The order also banned Lancaster from remaining on a private property if asked to leave, from entering a shop or commercial premises from which he has been barred, from using offensive or obscene words or gestures, or threatening or intimidating anyone.

He was also banned from damaging anyone's property, or encouraging anyone else to break the terms of his Asbo and from possessing or consuming alcohol in a public space.

Chairman of the bench, Jeffrey Grey, ordered that the Asbo apply for four years and warned Lancaster that if he broke any of its terms, he would face a prison sentence.