RESIDENTS of a quiet Corsham neighbourhood pray that thug David Clements' three-year reign of terror is at an end after he received North Wiltshire's first anti-social behaviour order.

The group of six neighbours, including four pensioners, say the 27-year-old's threats and crazed antics put them in fear of their lives, which he made a living hell since moving to Cross Keys.

They remain unconvinced whether the two-year court order, designed to protect them from further anti-social behaviour, will put a stop to him.

But police officers say they are delighted with the magistrates' decision to issue the order, which they believe will help restore the residents' quality of life.

The order bans Clements from entering Cross Keys and behaving in any way likely to cause distress or harassment to people living in the town or the residents of Cross Keys, or encouraging others to commit any form of anti-social behaviour towards them.

If he breaks the order, police have the power to arrest him on the spot.

Sergeant Dave Eddy, of Corsham Police, said: "He has been a continual problem in the Cross Keys area and other parts of Corsham for many years.

"This kind of order is particularly appropriate for the nature of the problems he has caused neighbours.

"The police now have an effective power to deal with any further anti-social behaviour which he may commit."

Resident David Bowen-Jones, 71, who lives in Cross Keys with his wife Patricia and their two dogs, said: "People are terrified of him. We have to keep looking over our shoulders the whole time in case we bump into him."

Kelvin Pugh, 57, who is retired, and lives with his partner Lesley Gingell, 53, said: "He made our lives a misery. We're pleased he's got this order and now we just hope we can return to the quiet life.."

Mr Bowen-Jones said the problems started days after Clements' arrival in Cross Keys when the yob climbed into his garden at night shrieking that people from London had found out where he lived and were going to blow his legs off.

Armed police attended the scene and Clements was taken away for the night.

The residents claim Clements, who lived in the Cross Keys flat with his mother, regularly tormented them with abusive taunts, foul language and disgusting gesticulations.

Mr Bowen-Jones said Clements threatened to set his bull terrier dog on the residents and on several occasions brandished an axe at them.

Clements was arrested and charged with a public order offence for using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, which he denied.

The six neighbours agreed to testify against Clements at the magistrates court hearing on Friday and asked for a police guard during the proceedings, but shortly before they were due to start he changed his plea to guilty.

As well as the anti social behaviour order, he was given a six-month conditional discharge.

Resident Kathleen Burland, 67, who moved into Cross Keys with her 73-year-old husband William 16 months-ago, said: "There's no comparison in the difference in the atmosphere between when he's here and when he's gone. It totally changed.

"If we had known just how he was we would never have moved in."

Sgt Eddy said he understood that Clements' mother would shortly be moving out of her flat, which is owned by Westlea Housing Association.