A TEENAGE boy has been explaining why he thinks magistrates should not impose an order to control his behaviour.

Darlington magistrates have been hearing evidence from several witnesses giving details of the 16-year-old's alleged anti-social behaviour.

However, yesterday the boy, who cannot be named, claimed that some witnesses had lied, or were mistaken.

He denied knowing anything about some incidents and claimed that many of the times he had used violence were in retaliation.

The boy, who lives in Ferryhill, admitted biting a policeman on the arm after being arrested last December.

However, he said: "It was just a warning to him to get off me because I hadn't done anything wrong - he was trying to arrest me and was hurting my neck."

He said he was frightened he would get hurt and claimed that he had been beaten up by policemen when arrested in the past.

He claimed he had been chased, threatened with a scythe and baseball bats, assaulted, punched and had dogs set upon him by people in Ferryhill.

He said: "If you've been to Ferryhill you know what it's like - it's a gangland."

Durham Constabulary applied for an anti-social behaviour order following a number of complaints from the public.

If granted, the magistrates will impose certain restrictions, which could range from a curfew to not dropping litter.

Magistrates are expected to reach a decision today.