Teen gang ringleader banned from streets

A teenager who terrorised shop staff and their customers in Sandwell has been given an anti-social behaviour order banning him from a number of streets.

Police have described 16-year-old Scott Cotterill as the "ring leader" of a group using abusive and threatening language towards staff and customers at Co-operative Midlands Shop, in Tame Road, Oldbury.

Sandwell Magistrates Court heard yesterday that the youngster, of Harvington Road, in Brandhall, had been causing anti social behaviour in the area since 2008.

He regularly shouted abuse at PCSO's, police officers and business owners in the Tame Road area, intimidating them with his threats and language, the court heard yesterday.

District Judge Michael Wheeler read reports which stated he had thrown bricks and stones at people, and was known to have started a number of fires and caused criminal damage.

Mr Mumtuz Bahadur, prosecuting on behalf of Sandwell Council, said: "A lot of Scott's behaviour stems from drinking."

District Judge Wheeler imposed the Asbo, which prevents Cotterill from entering the area between Tame Road, Perry Hill Road going into Bleakhouse Road, Wolverhampton Road and the border of Brandhall Golf Course. He is also banned from going into the area between Oldacre Road, Abberley Road, Kingsway and Tame Road where Foley House and Kennedy House are based.

The Asbo stops him from use threatening, abusive, racist and sexually explicit language in a public place and bans him from throwing bricks and stones and starting fires.

It also prevents him from consuming alcohol in a public and associating with two named individuals between 9am and 7pm for six months. The Asbo will be in force for two years.

District Judge Wheeler said: "I am satisfied that there is enough evidence to impose this Asbo."

Pc Graham Kirk said: "We are very pleased with the Asbo which will give some much-needed respite to local residents and businesses."