Tag and ban for gang member

A member of a gang which has wreaked havoc in Hednesford has been banned from going into parts of the town centre and its park for the next two years.

The 17-year-old has been given a two-year Anti-Social Behaviour Order and been electronically tagged for the next three months with a requirement for him to be at his home between 8pm and 6am each day.

Inspector Mat Derrick said the teenager was a prominent member of the WS12 gang, which uses the town's postcode as its name. The gang has been blamed for a string of recent anti-social and violent incidents.

He said: "They are a pathetic bunch of individuals who get pleasure out of causing distress and upset."

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Cannock Youth Court. He had denied causing criminal damage to a vehicle and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour but was convicted following a trial.

He was also ordered to carry out 100 hours community service and was handed a 12-month community rehabilitation order.