A 20-YEAR-OLD man who was once caught on camera ripping the head off a live pigeon in front of horrified shoppers was placed on a two-year anti-social behaviour order yesterday.

Frankie Pearson, of Burnigill, in Meadowfield, was given the Asbo by Durham magistrates, which now forbids him from entering the city's busy North Road at any time.

The court had been told of a string of incidents and offences committed by Pearson, which included taking coins from a wishing well at Santa's grotto in Durham's Prince Bishops Shopping Centre.

The North Road ban arose from a number of incidents, including him being drunk, begging for money and shouting and swearing at passers-by in Durham bus station.

But it was on November 24 last year when Patterson had caused horror among daytime shoppers when he picked up a pigeon from the footpath outside Yates Wine Bar in North Road and pulled its head off.

He had then gone into the bar and returned to the path, dumping the body and head into a dustbin.

The incident was captured on CCTV by the police, who rushed to the scene and arrested Patterson, charging him under Section Five of the Public Order Act for causing harassment, alarm or distress to others.

In court yesterday magistrates agreed to a request from Durham Police to impose the Asbo on Patterson.

The order included a list of nine prohibitions, including not being in North Road at any time.

He was also forbidden to be in any public place within the city centre while under the influence of alcohol.

He must not stay on any premises after he has been requested to leave and is banned from entering or attempting to enter any premises from which he has been barred.

The order also forbids him from using foul or offensive words or gestures in any public place or harassing, intimidating, threatening or abusing any person.

Patterson, who appeared in court, accepted the imposition of the order.