A 19-YEAR-OLD youth who was part of a gang that terrorised residents has been banned from a Ferndown housing estate for two years.

East Dorset District Council were granted an anti-social behaviour order this week barring Christopher William Moore (aka Storey) from the Heatherlands Estate - formerly known as Tricketts Cross.

Bournemouth Magistrates' Court heard that Moore, who is currently living at Cutlers Place, Colehill, had a string of convictions for previous offences, including criminal damage, common assault, threatening behaviour, possessing a knife, and being drunk and disorderly.

Local police and East Dorset Housing Association had also received numerous complaints from local residents about Moore and other youths.

Magistrates rejected an application by Moore's defence which would have allowed him to visit the estate on Saturdays to see friends and family.

Alexandra Patterson told the court that she and her disabled husband were forced to move out of their flat on Medway Road after months of harassment from gangs outside their home.

The abuse included shouting, swearing, throwing bottles, setting fire to rubbish and urinating through their letterbox.

Local beat officer for the Heatherlands estate PC Julian Humphries, said there had been many verbal complaints, but the threat of reprisals had stopped many residents from coming forward.

"There is an atmosphere of fear and intimidation on the estate," he said.

He praised the Pattersons for their bravery in speaking out against Moore.

But Moore's mother, Jeannette Moore, presented the court with a five-page list of signatures from residents, many of whom said they did not think Moore's behaviour constituted receiving an ASBO. She told magistrates: "I was aware of how I approached people and didn't put anybody under any pressure."

Katherine Speed, personal adviser at Connexions advice and guidance information service for young people, said she had first met Moore in February and helped him to get on to a college course.

She added: "The tutor was very positive about him. He's always been very responsible, very punctual and personable."

The court also heard that Moore hopes to start a plumbing course at Yeovil College in the near future.

Speaking after Wednesday's verdict PC Humphries added: "Some people view their previous convictions as a badge of honour.

"But an antisocial behaviour order seems to have some real teeth and people really don't want to have it."

East Dorset District Council has now brought three actions in a month against a trio of youths thought to be the ringleaders of a group causing antisocial behaviour.

In August, ASBOs were also granted against Daniel Howard, 17, and David Looker, 23, banishing them from areas of Ferndown.

First published: September 17