THE mother of a 21-year-old banned from loitering around parts of west Wiltshire after a string of convictions for violent crimes has said her son is not a monster.

Sandra Smith said her son, Paul Jeffery, did not deserve the sentence handed out by Swindon Crown Court just before Christmas, claiming he had been desperately trying to turn over a new leaf.

The former Trowbridge schoolboy was jailed for 16 months for attacking a teenager in the street, and when released, he will be subject to an anti-social behavioural order (ASBO) banning him from loitering in groups of four or more people in parts of Bradford on Avon and Holt.

The order, which lasts for two years and was made as a result of Jeff-ery's behaviour between February and August last year, also bans him from acting in a manner likely to cause distress to residents or visitors to Hawcroft, Holt, where he lives with his mum.

Mrs Smith said: "He has not taken it very well because a lot of things have gone on in the village which are nothing to do with him whatsoever. Everything seems to be blamed on Paul.

"He is not a monster. He was hoping for a fresh start when we moved from Trowbridge to Holt two years ago.

"He can be very quiet but has got a very hot temper when people provoke him he responds."

Mrs Smith said his new wave of crimes were sparked in January 2003 following a dispute with another family.

The 43-year-old described the last year as 'living hell' saying she had been physically and verbally abused while walking through the village. She claimed her son had also been attacked on several occasions, leaving him with a fractured pelvis and cuts and bruises.

"It has upset me. For six months I couldn't even walk down the street without getting hassle. I've been told we won't get any peace until Paul moves out. I have seriously considered moving away but I work in the village.

"I just want people to wake up to reality. Paul is not to blame for everything he has just been a convenient scapegoat. I hope he is allowed to have a fresh start when he's released."

Bradford on Avon police have welcomed the judge's decision because Jeffery had already been convicted of 29 offences, including theft, common assault and possession of Class A and B drugs, during 13 previous court appearances.

Sergeant Mark Rees said the 21-year-old, along with other youths, had made neighbours' lives a misery.

He said during the last three months while Jeffery has been remanded in custody, there had been a noticeable reduction in crime and Holt residents' quality of life had improved.