A TEENAGER accused of terrorising the people of Pinehurst has been given an interim Asbo.

The 14-year-old appeared at Swindon Magistrates Court after Swindon Council applied to impose the order following complaints by members of the public.

Francis Maples, acting on behalf of the council, told the court that the youngster is accused of 16 counts of anti-social behaviour, one of which includes throwing apples at the Pinehurst People's Centre two weeks ago.

The case against the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was put back so it can be heard at Swindon Youth Court in two weeks' time.

Martin Wiggins, defending, said his client may contest some of the incidents he is charged with.

However, the chairwoman of the bench, Barbara Parnell, said she had little choice but to impose an interim Asbo for fear the boy may find himself in trouble in the meantime.

"We have made the order because we feel that your behaviour has become such a problem to the residents that we have to do something immediately before we make a final decision in order that their lives are less stressful and more peaceful," she said.

"If you breach the order you may face a fine or term of imprisonment or both. Therefore, you have to be careful how you conduct yourself over the next two weeks."

Three conditions were attached to the interim Asbo.

Firstly, that the boy cannot be abusive to another person at any time in a manner that is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress within the area of Pinehurst.

He was also told that he is not allowed to loiter in a group of two or more, particularly in Acacia Grove, Poplar Avenue, Cricklade Road or any of the connecting alleyways on those streets.

Thirdly, he is banned from riding, driving or being carried in any mechanically powered motorised vehicle, which is being driven on a road, pavement or footpath in the area of Pinehurst in a manner that is inconsiderate or reckless.

The order is not the first to be used in the Pinehurst area in recent months and, according to Coun Maurice Fanning, (Lab, Gorse Hill and Pinehurst), the anti-social behaviour deterrent is working.

After hearing, he said: "Asbos have worked - they have been a shock to the system.

"But there are no bad kids in Pinehurst, Gorse Hill or Penhill. They are all good kids, it's just that some of them go a bit astray and this is a way of saying look this isn't the way to do things.' "We were no better in my day than these kids are now and, in fact, we were far worse."

The boy will reappear at Swindon Youth Court on Wednesday, October 25. His interim Asbo runs until October 26.

Meeting idea is welcomed

A PINEHURST councillor has welcomed the introduction of police community meetings as a way of tackling anti-social behaviour.

Coun Maurice Fanning (Lab, Gorse Hill and Pinehurst) made the statement after a 14-year-old resident was given a two-week interim Asbo for anti-social behaviour.

He said: "I think the community meetings are a marvellous idea because it means that people are involved and can interact with one another.

Last week PC Victoria Floyd, the community beat officer for Pinehurst and Gorse Hill, hosted a consultation meeting for council staff and residents at the Community Centre in Beech Avenue.

Coun Fanning said: "The people can get a feel for what the police are trying to do in the area so it raises awareness.

"It can be counter-productive if people are just moaning about their own concerns, but in general they serve a useful purpose."

PC Floyd listened to residents and made a programme of action to be taken. The hottest topics were drug dealing, youths riding mini motos and poorly-lit alleyways.

Coun Fanning said: "I don't think any of the young people round here are that bad, but people get frustrated.

"These meetings give people a chance to get things off their chest, and to talk sensibly about what action they would like to see taken."