YOUNG thug Paul Jeffery has been jailed for 16 months after attacking a teenager in the street.

When he is released the 21-year-old will be subject to an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) banning him from loitering in groups of four or more people in parts of Holt and Bradford on Avon for two years.

The order, imposed at Swindon Crown Court, also bans him from acting in a manner likely to cause harassment or distress to residents or visitors to Hawcroft, Holt.

Jeffery, of Hawcroft, Holt, received the order on Friday, as he was sentenced for charges of theft and actual bodily harm he had admitted at an earlier hearing.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, said Jeffery had approached the 17-year-old victim in St Margaret's Street, Bradford, at 8.45pm on August 9, asking for money he owed.

Not happy with being told the money had been repaid indirectly through a friend, Mr Meeke said Jeffery snatched a silver neck chain and as the victim looked up butted him on the bridge of the nose. It started to bleed and was badly swollen. Mr Meeke said Jeffery had appeared before the courts on 13 occasions and had been convicted of 29 offences, almost all committed in the Bradford and Holt area.

The ASBO, made a result of Jeffery's behaviour between February and August this year, bans him from loitering at The Midlands or the recreation ground in Holt or the station car park, Westbury Gardens or Barton Farm in Bradford on Avon.

Alex Daymond, defending, said his client accepted the anti-social behaviour order as a result of his general disorderly behaviour.

He said Jeffery had been in a car with friends when he spotted the youth and had not actively gone to seek out his victim.

Mr Daymond, who said Jeffery had been in custody since September and had passed tests in numeracy and literacy, said: "He accepts his behaviour has been generally anti-social.

"He has not made himself a very popular person in that area."

Jailing him and passing the order Recorder Jeremy Wright said: "These were nasty offences and you, at the age of 21, have acquired a significant record of offences."

Bradford on Avon police sergeant Mark Rees welcomed the judge's decision.

He said: "Throughout his formative years Paul Jeffery has been involved in a catalogue of crimes and to date has been convicted of 30 offences.

"He has attracted to him a group of like-minded individuals and together they have threatened, intimidated and committed crimes against many of those they have come into contact with.

"The activities of this group have not only impacted on the crime levels of Holt and Bradford over recent years, in particular in respect of joy riding in cars.

"Their inconsiderate and selfish behaviour in and near his home has made the lives of many of his neighbours miserable.

"During the last three months while Paul Jeffery has been remanded in custody there has been a noticeable reduction in reported crime and encouraging reports from residents in Holt of how their quality of life has improved."