A teenager has become the first person in Mid Sussex to receive an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (Asbo).

James Fitzgerald, 14, of The Highlands, Cuckfield, faces custody if he breaches the terms of the order, made for a catalogue of offences against residents and traders.

He was handed the Asbo by magistrates at Haywards Heath yesterday, following three years of bad behaviour.

A string of complaints began in 2000 when Fitzgerald started skipping school.

Since then he has been caught shoplifting, causing criminal damage and driving without a licence, for which he was disqualified at the age of 13.

If Fitzgerald breaks the order, which lasts for two years, he faces being detained at a young offenders' institution.

PC Jamie Stone, who has been working on the case, said many people would be relieved the order had been issued.

He said: "The bad behaviour has been causing distress to neighbours and people in the community.

"I think everyone will be relieved the order has been made.

"As time went on we got more and more support from the community.

"It is sometimes difficult to get evidence but people have rallied round.

"The community has realised that something does get done when they let us know about bad behaviour."

In January 2002, Fitzgerald entered into an Acceptable Behaviour Contract with Sussex Police and New Downland Housing Association. But within five weeks, he had twice broken it.

Since then, Sussex Police, led by PC Geoff Bennett of Haywards Heath police station, have been gathering enough evidence to satisfy the courts. Chief Inspector Samantha Coates, District Commander for Mid Sussex, said the order would help protect residents from Fitzgerald's anti-social behaviour.

She said: "The Asbo will help the police protect residents in Haywards Heath and Cuckfield from harassment and other criminal acts by this youth.

"I would like to thank residents who were willing to support the police with witness statements and phone calls to the police about this youth.

Among the requirements of the order, Fitzgerald is prohibited from using abusive language towards any Mid Sussex residents and cannot drink alcohol in public.

Magistrates lifted restrictions which prevent the identity of juvenile offenders being published.