This teen terror will no longer be able to cause havoc in Highworth for at least three months. The 15-year-old has been sent to a young offenders' institute after bringing misery to the town by causing a nuisance at school, shops and at church. He pulled a knife on one boy. However the courts have ruled that we cannot identify him.

A TEENAGER has persistently broken an order to stop causing a nuisance in Highworth - but we cannot name him.

Now he has been sentenced to a six-month training and detention order. The 15-year-old repeatedly ignored an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO).

In spite of an attempt by the Evening Advertiser to persuade Swindon Magistrates Court that the people of his home town had a right to know who was causing them misery, our application failed.

The boy was led to the cells in tears after magistrates decided that, after his continual breaches of the orders, detention was the only option.

Chairman of the bench Barbara Parnell told him: "It is the third breach of your ASBO, and the third breach of your supervision order.

"We've taken into account provocation, and taken into account your guilty plea, but we do view these matters as extremely serious because we are having persistent failure to comply."

After the hearing the boy's mother declined to comment on proceedings, saying simply: "Drop dead".

The boy pleaded guilty to assault and breaching an ASBO, and admitted failing to comply with a supervision order.

Prosecuting, Rob Welling told the court the ASBO, a civil order, was imposed on the boy after he acted in a way which would harass, alarm or distress Highworth people.

This included causing a nuisance on school premises, at St Michael's Church and at certain shops. As a result he was prohibited from some areas of Highworth and given a 10pm to 7am curfew.

Mr Welling said the boy had also pulled a knife on another boy in an argument and was abusive to a student. The boy was also caught among a group on the premises of Highworth Warneford School, between 3am and 4am last November, Mr Welling said.

He added that the 15-year-old before the court also admitted assaulting another boy while acting with a second youth, accusing him of stealing their bicycles.

Defending, Tony Nowogrodzki urged the magistrates to forbid the boy's name being made public, saying it would cause him difficulties.

The magistrates agreed to the request.

Last week, the Evening Advertiser reported the case of a boy who had an interim ASBO taken out against him.

Liam Walsh, 13, of Corsham Road, Penhill, was banned from several parts of Penhill after being accused of repeatedly causing trouble.

ASBOs, which were introduced in April 1999, can stop a troublemaker visiting a particular street, building or area, or from harassing a person.

North Swindon Michael Wills is a keen supportedof ASBO and hosted an open meeting about anti-social behaviour in Upper Stratton in April.

He has received many complaints from constituents in the Highworth area about the behaviour of the 15-year-old boy.

He said: "He has been causing misery in the locality. When this sort of behaviour takes place it's very important that it is punished quickly and effectively, and that is what looks like is happening here.

"When someone is guilty of anti-social behaviou it's important that everybody knows that the system works and those responsible are punished.

"Therefore, there should be very strong reasons indeed to prevent the press from publicising such verdicts. I think the more they cover them the better."

The court heard how a 17-year-old Highworth youth also admitted taking part in the same assault as the boy.

He was given an 18 hour attendance centre order.