AN anti-social behaviour order on a 15-year-old boy has been extended by Redditch magistrates in a landmark case brought by police.

The force secured its first extension of such an order after the court heard on Wednesday how the teenager, who cannot be named, repeatedly flouted an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) made against him in 1999.

Magistrates extended the two-year order, which expires this month, until September 2003, which means the youth is not allowed to cause harassment, alarm and distress to anyone in the Church Hill area or Redditch town centre or he will be arrested and brought before the courts.

He was the first in the county and one of the first in the country to have an ASBO placed on him, which initially meant he was not allowed in the Church Hill area.

Sgt Neil Billingham, of Redditch police, said the youth's behaviour had improved over the last two years but the extension was applied for to continue to improve the quality of life for residents in these areas.

Neil Campbell, on behalf of the applicant, said the youth had also breached a nine-month supervision order which was subsequently extended to two years following reports of disorderly behaviour and assault.

Mr Campbell said one of the examples of the anti-social behaviour order being breached took place on June 22 last year and involved the youth harassing a woman and her male partner by calling her a lesbian and threatening to 'get his brothers onto her boyfriend'.

Mr Campbell added other breaches took place on April 12 and August 2 this year and police also received a number of calls about the youth's behaviour.

"But the breaches themselves speak volumes about him not being ready to face up to his social responsibilities," said Mr Campbell.

David Sheppard, defending, said a three-month curfew order was placed on the youth in April which stated he was to stay at home from 7pm-7am.

Mr Sheppard said: "One of the reasons the curfew order was made rather than send him to custody was the magistrate made it clear it was his very last chance.

"It was apparent when he was subject to the curfew order that during that period he behaved himself."

In summing up, chairman of the bench Tricia Bradbury said to the youth: "We believe extending the order for a further two years is necessary to encourage you to behave well and think about your conduct."