TWO young yobs were banned from parts of a community yesterday with tough anti-social behaviour orders.

The pair, aged 13 and 12, took part in an "appalling catalogue" of incidents in Penygarn, Pontypool, a court was told.

Lee Jones, 13, of The Woodlands and Kyle Baker, 12, formerly of The Woodlands, were made the subject of ASBOs by Abergavenny magistrates following two separate hearings brought jointly by Torfaen council and Gwent Police.

Both are banned from parts of Penygarn for three years. Speaking after the hearings, Torfaen council's community safety partnership manager Dave Jeremiah said his department appeared to be winning the battle against anti-social behaviour in Penygarn after "some months" of work.

He said: "There has been a marked improvement and the number of calls is significantly down.

"These two cases are just a part of the work we are doing - without the anti-social behaviour legislation l from front page now in place the community would continue to suffer." The court was told Baker had threatened a woman, assaulted a teenager and was involved in an attack on a 15-year-old girl. Prosecutor Chris Tindall said a member of the public claimed Baker let off a firework which hit his leg. Baker, now of Elm Road, Llanharry, also threatened a council worker with a spade.The court heard Torfaen council had evicted Baker's family last November.

During Jones' hearing, Mr Tindall said the youngster had terrorised his neighbourhood and was suspended from Trevethin community school on numerous occasions.

Mr Tindall said Jones showed "sheer arrogance" and was prepared to attack other pupils "for no other reason than to intimidate them and bully them."

Mr Tindall said Jones was also spotted by police with a group of other youths setting off fireworks in the street.

On one occasion a firework was launched at a police car. The court also heard Jones started fires with another boy. James Campbell, representing Jones, and Mark Hughes, for Baker, said their clients accepted they were responsible for anti-social behaviour. Both were banned by ASBOs from parts of the community until they are 16.

Jones is banned from entering The Woodlands except to visit home and family, and entering Trevethin community school except as "lawfully entitled to" as a pupil.

Baker is banned from entering The Woodlands, Folly View, Park Crescent, Penygarn Junior School, Trevethin Community School and Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw.