A TEENAGER who swore at a man in a park near his home breached his Anti-Social Behaviour Order, magistrates decided yesterday (Wednesday). The 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, denied the charges. Sitting beside his father in the youth c

A TEENAGER who swore at a man in a park near his home breached his Anti-Social Behaviour Order, magistrates decided yesterday (Wednesday).

The 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, denied the charges.

Sitting beside his father in the youth court, the teenager denied kicking a neighbour's door and window and then swearing at him when confronted in a park where he was sitting with friends.

The court heard the youth, from Baldock, had been given an ASBO in February which is current until February 2008.

It includes an order prohibiting him from using foul, abusive or threatening behaviour in any public place and causing alarm or distress to the public.

It also includes a condition that the youth should not use violence, drink alcohol or attempt to buy drink from licensed premises.

The third condition says he should not cause distress, harm or alarm to residents in two Baldock roads.

Magistrates heard that the youth had been confronted in a Baldock park by the owner of a house on July 18 after his front door and windows had been kicked.

The man, aged 52, said: "I made my way to the park and found the youth whom I knew and asked him if he had been near my house and banged on the door.

"He said he hadn't and had just been dropped off by his father. When I went to leave the park he swore at me. I dislike swearing. It stopped me in my tracks.

"He said it in a very aggressive way. I felt afraid and I left the park as quickly as I could. I feared he could turn violent. I reported the incident to the police."

The youth was arrested more than a month later for breaching his ASBO conditions but denied he swore in the park.

"I did not swear. That is the truth," he told magistrates. "I did not go past the house that night."

David Jordan, defending, said: "No threats were made at all. He has said from the outset he did not say the words."

But after retiring for almost an hour, chairman of the magistrates Phil Gorin told the youth: "We are sure you said the words and we have concluded two of your ASBOs have been breached."

Magistrates delayed sentencing until December 18.