THE chairman of governors at a school being terrorised by an ex-pupil says the decision to seek an anti-social order against him is "regrettable but inevitable".

On Monday Newport magistrates issued a warrant for the arrest of a Torfaen boy, 15, who is now on the run following allegations that he hurled abuse at teachers, swore at them and was disruptive.

An application has been made by Torfaen council for an anti-social behaviour order to stop the boy going back to his former school.

Chris Tyndall, a legal officer for the council, told Newport magistrates the troubled teenager was permanently excluded from his old school but he continued to arrive there and cause trouble.

If granted, it will only be the second time such an order has been made in Wales. The first was also made for a school pupil in the Torfaen area.

Neither the boy, who is in foster care, nor his school can be named for legal reasons. The chairman of the school's board of governors told the Argus: "The decision is regrettable but inevitable and what else can one do?

"It is sad and unfortunate."

Terry Mackie, the council's assistant director of education, said: "Sadly, it is sometimes necessary for a school to work with colleagues in the council, police and other agencies to seek an anti-social behaviour order to deal with particular individuals.

"This is only done when other methods of tackling the issue have proved unsuccessful and there is a clear need to safeguard the school community and property.