A WINSFORD teen-ager who terrorised the town's residents has been sent to prison after breaching the terms of his Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO).

Thomas Halford, 16, of Bradbury Road, was sent into custody for six months at Northwich Magistrates' Courts on Wednesday after breaching the two-year ASBO twice on January 1, and again on February 14 and June 24.

Halford is the second Winsford youth to be sent to prison for breaching an ASBO in a week and the crackdown sends a clear message to people serving an order.

Carolyn Viviani, prosecuting, told the court that at around 2.15am Halford was seen with a group of youths on Dee Way.

Halford then began to shout abuse at a man before following him to his home, knocking on his door and threatening him with a golf club.

The second incident took place at around 2.55pm on February 14 when Halford was seen by a caretaker playing football in the grounds of Willow Wood Junior School.

The group was asked to leave but refused and Halford was identified when police looked at CCTV footage.

The final breach occurred at 4.15pm on June 24 when an officer for Weaver Vale Housing Trust spotted Halford riding a mini moped along Crook Lane.

The officer took a picture of Halford before having to move out of the way of the oncoming vehicle for fear of being hit by it.

Simon Rodgers, defending, said: "It's clear there have been some difficulties between Thomas and his mother.

"The relationship can be quite tense and that may not have assisted him in the way he's been behaving on occasions."

Beverley Halford, the boy's mother, told magistrates: "I've tried sorting things out with him but it's like hitting a brick wall."

Chairman of the bench Francis Miller said: "Due to the persistent and serious nature of the offence there is no other option available to us."