A TEENAGER accused of abusive behaviour during dozens of incidents in recent months has been banned from the town centre in the first interim anti-social behaviour injunction to come to court in Swindon.

Frankie O’Dwyer has had 33 allegations of anti-social behaviour levelled against him since November 7, and was convicted of a public order offence in March after becoming extremely abusive towards police officers.

The 15-year-old, of Ermin Street, was arrested in Havelock Square on Monday - the day before he was brought before the courts as Swindon Borough Council and Wiltshire Police sought the injunction.

O’Dwyer will now be banned from entering the town centre, except when accompanied by his mother or grandparents, as they continue their efforts to bring him into line.

Following similar incidents at the Orbital Retail Centre, he is also prevented from being in a group of four or more people acting in a manner likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress within the shopping district.

Thirdly, the court ruled he must not act in an abusive or threatening manner in any public place in the borough of Swindon.

Any breaches have now become an arrestable offence for O’Dwyer, who will also have to decide whether he wants to contest any of the 33 allegations.

The Swindon youth offending team told the court O’Dwyer suffers from quite severe ADHD and has consistently refused to take his medication, a fact they believe largely contributes to his behaviour.

Francis Maples, for Swindon Borough Council, told the bench: “This largely relates to anti-social behaviour in the town centre, and I am even sorry to say he was arrested yesterday in Havelock Square, for a matter of allegedly handling stolen goods.

“In March there was a public order offence for which he was convicted, for being abusive to a PCSO and a police officer who also attended.

“Quite clearly a large amount of harm has been caused to a lot of people who have been adversely affected.

“The power of arrest enables police to act immediately where there has been a breach, even when it is not a breach of criminal law.”

Richard Williams, defending O’Dwyer, said: “Initially he took some objection to the town centre ban and in his view he would prefer a Brunel Centre ban.

“I think there is some consensus with his mother and grandparents they would like the opportunity to supervise him in the town centre.

“I cannot strongly object to the power of arrest, and in my view it is entirely appropriate. An order such as this needs to have some teeth.

“My initial view was to treat Frankie in a delicate way and use the carrot rather than the stick, so I would like to ask to revisit this within two months to see how Frankie is getting on with the order.”

The injunction will initially run for two months, to return to court for review on October 6.

After the hearing, Mr Maples added: “This is behaviour which is quite outrageous. There has been a negative effect on businesses in the area, where Frankie O’Dwyer is seen as the ringleader of a group.

“One manager says he believes if Frankie was not present, the problems they are facing would all but dissipate.

“The behaviour is abusive and intimidating, which is causing a great deal of distress to other people of all ages.

“He has regarded himself as above the law, and the whole situation is very tragic.”

PC Claire Davidson, of the town centre neighbourhood policing team, said: “We are satisfied with the outcome here today and we are happy the community will get what they deserve, which is a bit of a reprieve and protection from this behaviour.”