RESIDENTS fled their homes after being tormented by a 15-year-old schoolboy, a court heard.

Graham Lake told District Judge James Prowse, at Teesside Magistrates Court, that he moved after the teenager threatened to burn his house down.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, allegedly made the threat after Mr Lake telephoned Cleveland Police to report a hammer attack which damaged his front door in South Bank, Middlesbrough.

Not having a telephone, Mr Lake had to leave his home to call the police from a shop. On returning home he found several of his windows had been smashed.

Mr Lake claims the boy later told him: "You want to watch your windows are not put through again. Next time I'll torch it.''

That was enough, said Mr Lake, who claimed the slightly-built youngster had already waved a knife at him through his front window and challenged him to step outside.

Vincent Taylor, another resident, said he moved house after repeatedly getting mud and stones thrown at his windows.

The boy they both blame is contesting an application by Cleveland Police, backed by Redcar and Cleveland Council, to make him the subject of an anti social behaviour order that would curtail his activities.

Gerard Tompkinson for the Police, told the judge: "You will hear a number of residents who will tell you of a series of incidents ranging from throwing things at their houses and windows etc, to swearing at them and spitting at them.''

Questioned by Graham Sylvester, the boy's solicitor, Mr Taylor said he kept his curtains drawn after the first incident involving his lounge window and did not see who was responsible for subsequent attacks.

In his statement to the police, Mr Lake named a second youth he also saw with a hammer following the attack on the door of his home at South Bank, near Middlesbrough.

Shopkeeper Pearl Hall, 79, said she had actually seen the boy throw objects at his shop and try to kick in the store window. He had also spat phlegm into her face.

Her daughter, Elizabeth Hall, denied there was "bad blood'' between her and the boy, but admitted throwing a broom handle through the spokes of his bike, causing him to fall off.

She said that was only after he threw mud at her. The application hearing continues today