A teenager accused of making neighbours' lives a misery has been ordered to behave by a court.

Gary Dawes, 15, of Newick Road, Brighton, who has learning difficulties, was made the subject of an antisocial behaviour order at Brighton Magistrates Court yesterday.

It is the first such order to be made in the city.

It was made after an application by Brighton and Hove City Council.

The application claimed Gary had on numerous occasions acted in an antisocial manner likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress in parts of the Moulsecoomb estate where he lives.

Stefan Kolodynski, for the council, said: "The order is being applied for because it is necessary to protect people in the Brighton and Hove area."

Gary admitted the complaint and an order was made which will run until he is 18.

The order states he must not use abusive behaviour, commit criminal damage or have any article which could be used as a weapon.

He must not cause a nuisance, alarm or distress or encourage others to do so.

He must also not abuse or threaten police, Brighton and Hove and East Sussex council employees or bus drivers.

He is prohibited from committing any act which is likely to intimidate anyone who is providing information which might be used in a prosecution involving himself.

He cannot enter schools and colleges without written permission and he must not illegally drive, ride or be a passenger in or on a motor vehicle in a public place.

After the case Angharad Hughes, a solicitor with the city council, said: "We bought this case because the defendant is a young man who has caused considerable difficulties on the estate and the surrounding area.

"There has been serious anti-social behaviour over a number of years."

In a statement, Gary's mother, Angela Cutting, said: "Gary is a special case as he suffers from Attention Deficit Disorder and has profound learning difficulties. He has found it difficult to interact with people who do not understand his problems.

"However, now he is older and maturer he is able to control his response to other people. The order has therefore been agreed on the basis that Gary behaves in a way which is not unreasonable and within the law.

"Gary apologises for any inconvenience or distress caused to others as a result of his actions."

Carol Reynolds, who lives near the family, said she did not believe an order should have been made.

She said: "He has never caused me a problem."

Another neighbour, who didn't wish to be named, said: "He has caused trouble on and off for years. At last somebody has done something."