THE SECOND Torfaen teenager this year has been barred from his old school for five years to end his campaign of terrorising teachers.
Torfaen council and Gwent Police successfully applied for an anti-social behaviour order preventing the 15-year-old, who cannot be named, from entering certain areas of Cwmbran.
He had hurled abuse and sworn at teachers and been disruptive throughout his lessons. The boy, who is in foster care, was permanently excluded from the secondary school, but kept returning to cause trouble.
Now he faces detention, a fine or both if he enters an area including his school, a shopping precinct and part of a housing estate or continues to commit anti-social behaviour anywhere in Torfaen.
The school's chairman of governors said the boy was "incapable of accepting help". He added: "This boy has been offered help and counselling from everyone and anyone, whether it be the director of education, the police, social services or people like me but we came to the end of the line. He just did not want to know and the young man is totally incapable of accepting help."
Although he would not be drawn on the nature of the teenager's unruly behaviour, the chairman who cannot be named, said it was "prolonged and systematic".
He added: "We do not like expelling anyone at this school as it feels like a failure but there comes a time when to protect the good of the majority something has to be done." A warrant was issued for the teenager's arrest by Newport magistrates last month after he went on the run as the two authorities applied for the order, only the third to be granted in Wales.
The first was another Torfaen youth, who was banned from his school and a shop, after threatening staff and fellow pupils and intimidating the shopkeeper.
Torfaen Crime Reduction Partnership, comprising Gwent Police and Torfaen council, successfully applied to Newport magistrates for the "last resort" order in April, following repeated attempts to resolve the situation with the boy and his parents.
Torfaen council Leader Brian Smith said: "Torfaen is clear about the need to tackle the scourge of anti-social behaviour which so blights the lives of some of our communities." l As the latest order was made by magistrates at Newport, Inspector Harry Gamlin of Cwmbran police said: "The impact that this youth's behaviour had on the community made this order essential.
"We will continue to work in partnership with Torfaen council to deal with anyone who is a nuisance or threat to community safety. Where necessary, this will include the application for further anti-social behaviour orders."
Gethin Lewis, secretary of teachers' union NUT Wales, said: "This sends a clear signal to all those in the community that break the rules that they will feel the full force of the law upon them," he said.
"We congratulate the authorities and Torfaen county borough council."
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