A TEENAGER described by police as a burden on his community has been banned from associating with anyone under 15 in public.

Archie William Gates, 19, of King George Avenue, East Grinstead, was slapped with a criminal behaviour order after being convicted of robbing a boy of tobacco.

He had previously been handed a two-year anti-social behaviour order in April 2013.

Under the new order, Gates is also banned from using threatening, insulting or abusive words or behaviour towards others in public.

Gates pleaded not guilty to robbing the packet of tobacco in Windmill Lane, East Grinstead, on December 31 last year when he appeared at Lewes Crown Court on July 20.

He was found guilty following a trial and given a six-month jail sentence suspended for two years, and ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work.

The teenager was also fined £200 for two breaches of a conditional discharge.

Sergeant Graeme Prentice said: "Gates continues to be a burden within the East Grinstead community. His offending and continuous anti-social behaviour has resulted in this criminal behaviour order.

"This order will hopefully instil some confidence in residents that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated and police will act robustly should any breaches in the order be reported."