A 17-YEAR-OLD youth has been banned from entering an area of Weymouth after neighbours petitioned the council about his behaviour.

Paul James Whelan, 17, of Newstead Road, Weymouth, has had his freedom curtailed with a two-year Anti-Social Behaviour Order.

He appeared before Weymouth Juvenile Panel yesterday charged with assault and carrying a weapon, which he admitted.

In March, the prolific offender had punched a man he didn't know and pulled the coat off his back after drunkenly accusing him of 'slagging him off'.

Police found him with an extendable baton tucked into the back of his trousers when they stopped and searched him in St Thomas Street, Weymouth in August. For the two offences he was given a 12-month community rehabilitation order, which the magistrates hoped would help curb his binge drinking.

The ASBO was the result of collaboration between the police and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

The court allowed him to be named in the press so the public could help enforce the order.

As well as a ban on acting, or inciting anyone else to act, in an anti-social manner or using threatening or insulting behaviour in the borough, Whelan is not permitted to enter the area surrounding Weymouth Foyer between Weymouth Way, Abbotsbury Road and Newstead Road.

He is also prohibited from being in a public place between 10pm and 7am and drinking alcohol or being drunk in public.

Last summer, a petition about Whelan's 'appalling anti-social behaviour' signed by his neighbours and sent to the council's community safety team.

A council spokesman said: "This young person has caused a nuisance since he moved into the area.

"His behaviour has a significant impact on the local community by causing harassment, alarm and distress to members of the public who are either victims or witnesses to his violent and aggressive nature.

"The local authority and the police felt it was necessary to apply for an ASBO in order to protect the community from his persistent anti-social behaviour.

"We want to send out a clear message that we will not tolerate anti-social behaviour and we will use enforcement powers given to us through the new Anti-Social Behaviour Act to tackle this important issue."

There are now five people living in the borough of Weymouth and Portland who are subject to ASBOs.

Sergeant Nikki Pardey said: "I am pleased that the court had decided not to impose a reporting ban on this order because publicity plays a major role in its enforcement.

"The residents of Weymouth and Portland need to know who Paul Whelan is and what prohibitions are contained within his ASBO."