A teenager persistently involved in violent and antisocial behaviour in Abingdon has had a mass of restrictions placed on him for five years in a bid to cut crime in the town.

Daniel Rumley, 19, of Parsons Mead and formerly of Saxton Road, is the first Abingdon resident to have an Anti Social Behaviour Order placed against him.

The order was imposed on him by Wantage magistrates who considered the application by the police and Vale of White Horse District Council at a special hearing.

The court heard he was "persistently engaged" in abusive, threatening and intimidating behaviour. Cases against him were dropped because potential witnesses were frightened.

Rumley is not allowed to go to the Peachcroft shopping area, the youth shelter and park in Appleford Drive, the Abbey Grounds and gardens, the Reynolds Way shopping area in south Abingdon and 45 The Vineyard, a block of flats for homeless young people.

He has also been barred from drinking alcohol and using drugs in public places. He must not use intimidating behaviour or violence towards people or use abusive and insulting behaviour.

He must not trespass on land or premises; must not be involved in theft, criminal damage or any other criminal offence or congregate in groups of three people or more.

If Rumley breaches any of the conditions during the five-year duration of the order, he can be arrested and taken back to court where he could face a maximum five-year jail term.

Four police officers and neighbourhood warden Richard Baker gave evidence in support of the application. Pc Suzanne Poole said she had been intimidated by Rumley, who had been involved in a gang called the 'Saky Crew' from Saxton Road that caused trouble in the Reynolds Way shopping area.

She told the court: "Young members of the gang look up to Rumley and are fearful of him. It has been difficult to gather statements from witnesses to incidents because they were frightened of reprisals."

Applying for the ASBO on behalf of the police, solicitor Andrew Pote outlined a catalogue of previous convictions and complaints ranging from theft, criminal damage, assault, drunken and intimidating behaviour and breaches of restraining orders and curfews.

Martin Bourne, representing Rumley, said an ASBO was unnecessary because other measures were in place at the shopping areas to deter any misbehaviour.

Rumley did not give evidence but after the case he said: "I admit I have been involved in trouble and have convictions but I think the conditions of this order are a bit harsh. I am not a one-man crimewave.