OUT-of-control young offenders in Gwent are flouting tough new powers aimed at curbing anti-social behaviour.

And the Argus can reveal that one Newport teenager breached his ASBO order just twenty minutes after leaving court.

The so-called hard hitting anti-social behaviour orders, are failing to stop persistent offenders from bringing misery to the Gwent public.

Police say they feel "disenchanted" over the ineffectiveness of the orders as offenders simply ignore the conditions set down on them.

In Newport there are eight ASBOs in place - six on youths. PC Carolyn Jefferies, Newport police's ASBO co-ordinator, revealed there have been 30 breaches resulting in just seven convictions, with 16 cases pending and seven being withdrawn.

PC Eddie Evans, from Bettws police station, said: "When we secured our first one it felt like a real victory.

"But since then this youth has just ignored the order. We have arrested him for breaching the order time and time again but he just does not care. These orders are simply not working."

Securing an ASBO costs a local authority £5,000 in addition to all the police hours required to gather enough evidence.

William Graham AM, a magistrate on the Gwent circuit, said: "The feeling among a bench is one of impotence. There is nothing we can do to either stop these youths offending or to even help them."

In Torfaen, there are seven orders in place with one breach conviction, while in the Caerphilly three ASBOs are in force for which there has been one breach.

Monmouthshire and Blaenau Gwent councils currently have no ASBOs in place.

Newport councillor Bob Bright, cabinet member for community safety, said: "I know one youth breached his ASBO within 20 minutes of appearing in court. Around 60 per cent of these orders are being ignored.

"I believe there is some vagueness surrounding the legal make-up of ASBOs which are essentially restraining orders with criminal sanctions and magistrates may be a little reticent when it comes to employing these sentences."

A Home Office spokesman said breaches of ASBOs were a sign of their success, and stressed the maximum penalty is five years in prison.