A TEENAGER, whose campaign of harassment forced a woman to move from her home, was given a final chance by a court yesterday.

The 16-year-old from Darlington, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was warned that he faced prison when he appeared in court two weeks ago and admitted two charges of harassment.

Magistrates were told that his behaviour included using obscene language and making threats to damage property.

One of his victims, a woman, has since moved from the area as a result of his behaviour.

Yesterday, he appeared before Darlington Youth Court for sentence and admitted a third charge of harassing a second woman from August last year until ten days ago.

Hari Jandoo, prosecuting, said that the youth had targeted two women and a man. Both women had felt increasingly vulnerable and were afraid to leave their homes alone.

In mitigation, Stephen Andrews urged magistrates not to impose a detention sentence on the youth.

He said his behaviour was as a result of a background littered with serious problems.

"You have before you a young man who is weak, is certainly immature and is very angry. He lashes out perhaps without forethought," Mr Andrews said.

"By picking up on other people's shortcomings he is refusing to confront his own."

Chairman of the bench Aileen Little said she was giving the youth a last chance.

She sentenced him to a 24- month supervision order, a three-month curfew order, a restraining order and an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo).

The Asbo conditions include forbidding him to damage property, to assault, harass or intimidate anyone or to incite others to do so. It also imposes restrictions on his movements.

* Two youths, one 17 and the other 15, both from Darlington, also appeared at the youth court for sentence.

The 17-year-old, who admitted harassment, was given a four month referral order and a restraining order, and his parents were ordered to pay £20 compensation.

The 15-year-old, who admitted two harassment charges, was given a nine-month supervision order and a restraining order. His mother was ordered to pay £40 compensation and given a three- month parenting order.