RESIDENTS living in communities terrorised by two yobs say the punishments dished out to them are too soft.

Leon Kent, and Ryan Ahern, both 18 and from Newport, had their anti-social behaviour orders extended to 2008 at Abergavenny magistrates' court on Tuesday, despite breaching them 19 times between them.

The ASBOs originally imposed in 2004 were due to expire this month. Ahern, of Moorland Park, breached his ASBO 15 times and has received 11 custodial sentences in the past two years.

Kent breached his order four times and was locked up three times, the magistrates heard. The ASBOs were originally imposed after the pair terrorised residents on Newport's Broadmead Park and Moorland Park estates, the court heard.

As well as not being able to associate with each other, the pair, with one exception, are banned from entering the areas.

The package also bans them from using threatening and intimidating behaviour.

Told of the extensions, residents living on the estates said the punishments do not go far enough.

One, who did not want to be named, said: "These guys have no respect. They needed something tougher to make them stop for good. People's lives are being made a misery." Another resident said: "Yobs are making our lives hell. The punishment is just too soft - it sends out the wrong message."

One resident who lived on the Broadmead Park estate was forced to move after he was subjected to threats.

The resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, said the gang of which Kent and Ahern were members threatened him, made abusive comments about his partner and left him feeling like a prisoner in his own home. Newport city councillor Allan Morris, who represents the area, said he believed the ASBOs were effective.

"Whatever people say, ASBOs do work," he said. "People have a right to live in peace and quiet."

Councillor Morris said the estates had improved since residents had begun to stand up against the gang. "There was definitely a climate of fear," he said.

"But we've noticed a big difference and residents are prepared to come forward. Gangs can terrorise individuals but not a whole neighbourhood."