THE ringleader of a group of youths who have caused harassment to people in two coastal towns has been issued with an anti-social behaviour order.

Anthony Bond

THE ringleader of a group of youths who have caused harassment to people in two coastal towns has been issued with an anti-social behaviour order.

Iain Harper, 20, of Newgate Street, Walton, appeared before magistrates in Colchester yesterdayand was issued with an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) for three years.

Essex Police said it had received numerous statements from members of the public naming Harper as a ringleader of a group of youths who have caused harassment, alarm and distress to people in Walton and Frinton on almost a daily basis.

The Asbo has a number of conditions which include that he must not enter Tendring Technology College or the Triangle Shopping Centre in Frinton, or the area surrounding these locations.

He also must not enter the town's Connaught Avenue, Police Barn Lane, Old Road, Harold Grove, Harold Road, Fourth Avenue, or The Esplanade.

He has also been ordered not to enter or loiter outside the Tesco in Walton as well as the Co-Op, pier, Walton Food and Drink Shop, Central Caf�, Ocean Indian Restaurant, Kino Amusement, Old Pier Street Emporium and Martello Camp Arcade.

Other conditions are that he must not loiter in groups of three or more people in such a way as to cause harassment, alarm or distress. He must not carry any more than a 0.75 litre bottle of wine or one 0.75 litre bottle of spirits, or more than four cans or bottles of any alcoholic drink in a public place. He has also been told that he must not be in possession of any open vessel of alcohol in a public place other than premises licensed for the consumption of alcohol.

Conditions on the Asbo also include that he must not kick or throw a ball into the road, or onto the pavement, or at a commercial residential property. And he must not behave in any way that would cause harassment, alarm or distress to any person or to incite or actively encourage others to cause alarm, harassment or distress to any person.

This will include, but is not restricted to, the use of foul and abusive language, throwing any item and preventing people on foot or in vehicles from making lawful progress on any public highway.