A TEENAGER who went to buy a pizza ended up in court for breaking the terms of a court order designed to stamp out anti-social behaviour in part of Darlington.

The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded not guilty in Darlington Youth Court to breaching the order.

The case against the 16-year-old boy was discontinued when the Crown Prosecution Service offered no further evidence.

His mother described the case as farcical after she had to take time off work to attend court.

The court appearances have also forced the teenager to miss school in the run up to his GCSEs.

His mother said he had been outside shops in the Haughton West area of Darlington with two friends when he was stopped by police.

They were told not to return within 24 hours under the terms of the order.

Just under 24 hours later, the mother sent her son to buy a pizza for him and his brother because she was going to be late home, which was when he was seen.

His mother said after the case: "If it was groups of six or more I could understand it. We have been told not to send kids out on their own in case they get mugged. What do I do now? It is farcical."

Sergeant Mark Ralphs, of Darlington police, said he could not comment on individual cases.

He said: "The dispersal order was put in because of problems with youths in that area and the alarm and distress they were causing to residents and shopkeepers.

"The order is there to give police the powers to disperse people who are likely to cause problems.

"People do get a first chance and they are told about the order and not to return."

He said several people had been reported for breaking the order, which began in October.

Councillor Nick Wallis, who represents Haughton West, said: "The order has worked very well. I don't think any individual would get much sympathy from the people who have suffered."

He said the order dispersed groups of two or more in line with national policy.