A "neighbour from hell" has been told to expect a jail term if he is seen wielding a baseball bat or attempts to return to an Oxford estate.

Graham DeBanks, 40, was given a two-year antisocial behaviour order (Asbo) after his rowdy conduct caused harassment, alarm and distress to residents of Plowman Tower in Northway, Marston.

District Judge Brian Loosley yesterday (Thursday, August 12) banned DeBanks from the Northway estate, banned him from possessing a baseball bat in public, and told him he must not approach, threaten or harass seven residents who gave evidence against him.

He told DeBanks he faced up to five years behind bars if he breaches the order, and warned: "When I have dealt with anybody breaching an Asbo, I have always sent them to jail."

The case, brought by the city council's Crime and Nuisance Action Team (CANAcT), heard evidence that DeBanks would shout, swear and carry a baseball bat around the tower block.

Plowman Tower Residents' Association was formed to deal with problems, including the behaviour of DeBanks and his family.

The family was recently rehoused to Leiden Road, Wood Farm, although the city council said this was not as a result of complaints of antisocial behaviour.

Plowman Tower residents said their lives had improved because of the move.

The hearing was told that DeBanks visited his niece, Julie DeBanks, and her partner Steve McKibben, with a baseball bat on July 2, following an argument. Mr McKibben opened the door slightly and DeBanks jabbed the baseball bat through, injuring his shoulder. Mr McKibben grabbed the bat, while DeBanks fled to his flat floors above.

Mr McKibben said he had stayed with Miss DeBanks that day because she was terrified of her uncle - who had threatened to put petrol bombs through her door and set fire to her shed.

DeBanks denied the attack ever took place. He said: "I was in my flat, caned out of my face and drunk."

He said from 9am he had consumed 16 cans of lager, smoked oz of cannabis, and had taken four ecstasy pills.

DeBanks claimed he had lent Mr McKibben the bat. DeBanks had owned baseball bats in the past and a different bat was seized from his Wood Farm home by police on July 20.

Speaking after the hearing, Mr McKibben, 36, welcomed the Asbo, but called for it to be longer. He said: "He's a neighbour from hell to everyone he knows. He's 40 years old and I don't think this is going to change him. "It should have been longer. He will take the attitude that after two years, he can start again."

Julie DeBanks, 23, said: "I hope that he doesn't break the Asbo - but I'm worried that he might. I'm still fearful."

James Beattie, chairman of Plowman Tower Residents' Association, told the court the association had spent a great deal of time worrying about the DeBanks family's behaviour.

Another resident, Kay Robinson, said she was still too frightened to return to Plowman Tower - even though the DeBanks family had moved.

Terry Gordon, vice-chairman of the residents' association, said DeBanks had threatened him and was responsible for a lot of disturbances.

Resident Ken Walton added: "All the residents are aware of the violent behaviour of Mr DeBanks, of him mixing with undesirable people and fighting with them."

Peta Donaghy, city council senior neighbourhood action officer, said after the case: "The application for an Asbo against Graham DeBanks would not have been successful without the brave witnesses from Plowman Tower who came to court to give evidence, and they now deserve to live peacefully and quietly."