A TEENAGER responsible for a "phenomenal" amount of crime has been banned from behaving badly in over 200 towns and villages across Essex and Suffolk.Martin Barnsley, 19, from Braintree, has clocked up 52 convictions since he was 12 years old, ranging from assault, theft, criminal damage, public order offences, drunkenness, resisting and assaulting police officers and driving offences.

By Juliette Maxam

A TEENAGER responsible for a "phenomenal" amount of crime has been banned from behaving badly in over 200 towns and villages across Essex and Suffolk.

Martin Barnsley, 19, from Braintree, has clocked up 52 convictions since he was 12 years old, ranging from assault, theft, criminal damage, public order offences, drunkenness, resisting and assaulting police officers and driving offences.

Now Barnsley has received a three-year Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) which police hope will bring an end to his life of crime.

For the next three years Barnsley must abide by the strict conditions of the order, which covers the whole of north Essex and the Suffolk border.

Barnsley, of Bartram Avenue, is currently serving a 21-month prison sentence for thefts from and of cars.

The order was made at a civil hearing in Chelmsford , brought by Essex Police in conjunction with Braintree District Community Safety Partnership.

Chief Inspector Stuart Ashton, of Braintree police, said: "We are really pleased that we have got this ASBO because we are hoping when he finishes his prison term he'll come back out and be a bit more mature and carry on a crime-free life."

He added: "The amount of crime he was committing was nothing short of phenomenal - it was an incredible amount for one person.

"This is really good news for Essex Police and really good news for the people of Braintree. The choice is his. If he wants to get out and lead a crime-free life we'll not bother him at all. Should he come out and act in the way he did before then every police officer in the division knows who he is and with the ASBO we are in a much stronger position to deal with him."

Sgt Pat White, of Braintree police, who has worked closely on the case, said: "This order sends a clear message to those intent on ruining the quality of life for residents in the Braintree, Witham and Halstead areas - you will not be tolerated and you will be confronted with all the measures we have at our disposal.

"This result demonstrates the strength and co-operation of the key agencies working together and the sharing of information in tackling local problems of crime and disorder."

Graham Butland, leader of Braintree District Council, added: "This just demonstrates our determination to tackle anti-social behaviour together."

Barnsley has been told he must not:

? Cause harassment, alarm or distress to anyone.

? Assault anyone or threaten unlawful violence towards anyone.

? Interfere with, damage or attempt to damage any property without the express consent of the owner.

? Drive or ride any motor vehicle knowing the driver/rider is either unlicensed or uninsured, has stolen the vehicle or has it without the owner's consent.

? Behave in a threatening, intimidating or abusive way towards any employee, officer or agent of Essex Police, Youth Offending Team or Essex Probation Services whether on duty or off.

? Be drunk and disorderly in a public place.

? Incite or encourage any other person to perform any of those acts.

Failure by to adhere to these conditions will see him face immediate arrest and a possible custodial sentence.

The order applies in an area from Sudbury along the A1092 to Haverhill and the A11, and from the A11 down the M11 corridor to junction 7 at the A414, along the A414 to Chelmsford, then through to Maldon and Heybridge to West Mersea, round to Thorrington and the A120 around Colchester to the A134 back to Sudbury.

The main agencies who worked together to achieve the order include Braintree District Council, probation services, criminal justice mental health/social services, youth offending team and Essex Police.