CONSTRAINTS have been placed on a teenage tearaway who was accused of terrorising villagers in his neighbourhood.

An anti-social behaviour order was imposed on 18-year-old Craig Anthony Bland, with various conditions added to curb his behaviour.

The order was made by Durham magistrates yesterday, following an application by Durham Police.

It stemmed from complaints over Bland's activities from people in Brandon, near Durham.

The court heard that between June and December last year he was considered, "a general nuisance", particularly in the vicinity of his home, in Dunelm Court.

Steve Mooney, making the application for the police, quoted an incident in which Bland tried to uproot a tree using a rope tied to his scooter.

He said: "He was frequently drunk in public, drinking in the street, terrorising elderly residents, threatening them, saying he was going to burn down their homes."

Mr Mooney said there was also a complaint of him verbally abusing three young girls who berated him for urinating in public.

David Clark, for Bland, said he did not accept all the allegations made against him, which made him agitated.

Mr Clark said Bland was a severe sufferer of attention deficit disorder, which led him to sometimes become easily agitated.

Bland's father, Alan, said his son was difficult to control because of his learning difficulties.

Agreeing to the application, the magistrates imposed several conditions, including banning Bland from drinking or being under the influence of alcohol in public, driving in an intimidatory and threatening manner, threatening people in Brandon, throwing anything at property, or using foul and abusive language in public.

He was warned that any breach would put him at risk of a prison sentence of up to five years.

After the hearing, Brandon beat bobby PC Neil Ovington said he was pleased with the order, which he hopes will improve the quality of life for elderly people and young families in the village.

He said: "While Craig isn't alone in causing problems, they have tended to centre around his address. Such behaviour is totally unacceptable."

The order will run for two years.