A LOWESTOFT teenager who intimidated people by shouting in the street and damaging cars has been handed a three-year anti-social behaviour order (ASBO).

The order, imposed by Lowestoft magistrates, means 15-year-old Ezekiah Grimes can no longer enter Cleveland Road, Grosvenor Road, or Windsor Road without risking jail. It also bans him from socialising with Jay Marriner, Daniel Marriner, Simon Marriner, Sam Hills and Jason Axelson unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

At Lowestoft Magistrates' Court last Thursday, an application was made by Victoria Nutley, on behalf of Waveney District Council, alleging that Grimes, of Tonning Street, had caused distress to people by spitting, using threatening behaviour towards police, swearing, damaging cars and loitering in a large group.

A witness statement recorded by police in November described how residents in Windsor Road, Grosvenor Road, Cleveland Road and London Road South 'lived in fear of the continuous problems' caused by anti-social behaviour.

Meanwhile, in a response to a public safety questionnaire sent to houses in the area, one person said gangs of youths gathered outside from late evening until early hours, making noise, shouting, playing music, congregating in alleyways and smoking cannabis.

Jason Grimes, of Tonning Street, accompanied his son to court. He told magistrates: 'The boy has never done anything wrong. He has never been arrested for anything.

'He was recently assaulted. People came into the house with Samurai swords and he was stabbed. This is disgusting. I have read what he has supposed to have done. You are saying he is dealing drugs and plying.'

At the end of the hearing, Jason Grimes threw his pen at the bench and stormed out of court when told he would have to pay costs of �700.

Magistrates were prompted to use their powers to lift legal restrictions preventing The Journal and other media organisations from naming Ezekiah Grimes so the public would know the teenager and report him to the police if he breached his ASBO in future.

Chairman of the bench James Goldspink said: 'To the interest of all the people who live in these areas, they are to know of this individual.'