A teenage tearaway who is part of a car crime gang has been ordered to behave or face jail.

Daniel Bowler, 16, of Lynchet Close, Brighton, was made the subject of a two-year antisocial behaviour order (Asbo) at Brighton Magistrates Court.

If he breaches the order, he could be jailed for up to five years.

The court heard police hold Bowler responsible for a string of car crime offences in the Hollingdean area where he lives.

He has stolen cars and driven vehicles, although he is too young to legally drive. On one day in December last year he stole three cars.

Bowler admitted behaving in an antisocial manner, which caused harassment, alarm or distress. But he contested whether the order was necessary.

Amy Packham, defending, said the teenager suffered from Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism, and attention deficit hyperactive disorder and she asked the magistrates to consider whether an order was appropriate for a young person with mental health problems.

She said: "He is clearly a troubled boy who has not reacted well to the intervention of the courts despite the best efforts of his mother."

The police, who applied for the order, said Bowler was a risk to the public and the city needed protection from his behaviour.

The magistrates heard there had been a catalogue of complaints about Bowler from his neighbours.

The conditions of the Asbo ban him from behaving in a way likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

He cannot drive or use any vehicle except when he is with his immediate family, a member of the youth offending team, social services or his solicitor. He is allowed to use buses and trains.

He must not carry any tool with potential for use in connection with a burglary or theft in a public place.

He must abide by a curfew between 10pm and 6am for six months.

He is banned from association with Karl Tugwell, 18, and Lee Domagala, 19, who last month became the first person in the city to be jailed for breaching an Asbo.

After the hearing Chief Inspector Lance Gray said Bowler was part a gang who targeted their victims with intimidating and offensive behaviour to prevent people giving evidence in court.

He said: "We are gradually working our way through a group of offenders who have imagined we are powerless to change their offensive behaviour.

"We will continue to target them and prove them wrong on behalf of the community who should not be expected to suffer in silence.

"All of the neighbourhood police team understand Daniel has psychological issues. The court today had swathes of reports dealing with him.

"What the order quite properly will achieve is the protection of the local community, which has suffered for months on end a catalogue of antisocial behaviour by a group of individuals, including Daniel."