A DEAF criminal with172 previous convictions has been sent to a bail hostel for a month's assessment after being released from prison by a judge.

William Carter, of Walter Nash Road, Birchen Coppice, Kidderminster, pleaded guilty to breaching an anti-social behaviour order.

The probation service wants to draw up long-term plans for a support framework for the 30-year-old, said his counsel Alison Scott-James.

Since 1993, Carter has compiled a formidable police record, which includes 12 breaches of ASBOs.

Other crimes include: 11 counts of violence including assault with intent to resist arrest, 110 thefts, three sex crimes, two frauds, six counts of public disorder, three drug offences, handling stolen goods, harassment, driving while banned and robbery.

Judge Andrew Geddes ordered Carter to live at Braley House, Worcester, where he will be subjected to a nightly curfew.

He must not enter any licensed premises, must not enter his home town and must comply with drug treatment.

Granting Carter bail until he is sentenced on October 4 at Worcester Crown Court, the judge warned: "You must give the probation service your full co-operation. If you don't, there will be no alternative but to send you back to prison. If you do, it is very likely the court will impose a community disposal."

At an earlier hearing, the judge heard how the owner of a Kidderminster hairdressing salon was terrified when Carter began punching her window at The Horsefair premises.

She locked the door and called the emergency services when he collapsed on the pavement outside Pisces Hair Design, said Jabeen Akhtar, prosecuting. As soon as an ambulance arrived, however, he got up and ran away.

Carter was arrested two days later, on March 16, when police found him with an unprotected hypodermic syringe on a stairway in Witley Close, Kidderminster.

In a third incident, Carter went into Seaman's store in Hurcott Road, Kidderminster, and was waving his arms about. The girl assistant was intimidated and thought he was going to snatch the till.

The defendant had been in custody for seven months. He was made aware of the court proceedings through a sign-language interpreter.

The judge had expressed concern about the "disruption and fear" that he was causing and commented at the previous hearing: "It's high time his conduct was brought to an end."

Miss Scott-Jones said strenuous efforts had been made by probation officers to find him suitable accommodation. It was hoped to find him a long-term placement where he can live after he is sentenced.