A TEENAGER who was handed an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) for beating up strangers in unprovoked drunken attacks has been jailed.

Mark Blowes was warned by police he faced prison when he was served with an Asbo in August last year after he committed physical assaults on people in the street.

However, the 19-year-old failed to heed the warning and was jailed yesterday, at Teesside Crown Court, for two assaults, affray and two breaches of the Asbo.

The court heard that a month before he was served with the order, he drunkenly beat up a van driver in an unprovoked attack.

He punched and kicked Craig Johnston after first asking him what he was looking at, and then approaching him and demanding a cigarette.

David Brooke, prosecuting, said: "Mr Johnston, trying to defend himself, grabbed the defendant's shirt. As he did that, the defendant's two friends set about him, punching him a number of times."

Mr Johnston was able to restrain Blowes until help arrived. Blowes had denied the assault, but was found guilty by a jury last month.

The court heard on October 14 that the teenager went to a house in Eaglescliffe, Teesside, and attacked his friend because he believed he had started a relationship with his girlfriend.

A 13-year-old girl and the householder were said to have been distressed by the incident.

Mr Brooke said: "He was swearing and aggressive.

"He was in breach of the Asbo, as he was in the final incident, on November 10."

On that occasion, Blowes, who was drinking a bottle of cider, attacked Robert Round, who was walking along the street, after asking him what he was looking at.

The victim suffered a broken nose, two black eyes and cuts and bruises.

Jonny Walker, defending, said: "He is going to be taught an almighty lesson today for his stupidity."

Blowes, of Dunkery Close, Ingleby Barwick, who had just finished serving two-and-a-half months for assaulting a policeman, was jailed for three years.

Judge George Moorhouse said: "The time has now come when you need to grow up."