A teenager with a form of autism who was ordered to behave by the courts said: "It's too late - I've grown out of it."

Ricky Weblin, 16, of Kenmure Avenue, Patcham, Brighton, was made the subject of an interim antisocial behaviour order (ASBO) by magistrates in the city yesterday.

Traders in Churchill Square had recorded more than 100 separate incidents of abusive and threatening behaviour.

But Weblin, who has Asperger's syndrome, said the order came too late.

He said outside court: "If this had happened two months ago I could understand it because I admit we were terrorising people, but now? Is this my reward for calming down?"

Brighton Magistrates granted the interim order after hearing the catalogue of foul language, shouting and nuisance Weblin and his friends caused between January and June of this year at the shopping centre.

Terry Davies, spokesman for the traders and crime reduction partnership, said: "Their behaviour really was quite alarming. The staff really don't expect to have to deal with this sort of violence and abuse when they are serving."

Weblin's solicitor pleaded with magistrates that an ASBO was not the answer to the boy's behaviour.

Andreas Serghis, defending, said: "This is not the way to deal with someone with a neurological disorder. It's inhumane and he needs treatment."

Weblin's grandmother Evelyn Weblin told the court: "Had this ASBO come up a year ago I would have cheered but he really has been making an effort recently.

"He's got a really nice girlfriend and he understands now that he is affecting people with his behaviour."