A MAN who was accused by neighbours of anti-social behaviour will not be banned from his own home.

Scott Scales, of Aviemore Court, Darlington, had civil proceedings brought against him by Darlington Borough Council yesterday.

The local authority had initially planned to bar Mr Scales from his home, but withdrew the application following talks with his representatives.

The council had applied to Teesside Civil Court for neighbours of the 25-year-old to have powers of arrest - allowing them to call the police and have him arrested if he acted anti-socially.

An anti-social behaviour injunction had already been served on Mr Scales at Darlington County Court in May, but it was alleged he had breached the order.

The court heard that on September 19, Mr Scales had told a neighbour he was going to smash her face in.

There were also allegations of domestic violence - which were denied by Mr Scales and his partner.

District Judge Arkless was told Mr Scales had mental health problems but was seeking help.

His advocate. Chris Close, said Mr Scales' neighbours had thrown missiles at his home.

He said: "It is not a good place for him to live. We are trying to move him out. We do accept though that there are incidents that he regrets."

Yvonne Taylor, a barrister for the borough council, said: "From the evidence we have, the witnesses' lives have reached such a point where this is having a detrimental effect on them."

Judge Arkless agreed to extend the injunction, which expires next Thursday.

She told Mr Scales he must not cause further disturbances for another year or he would face a prison sentence or eviction.

She agreed not to attach powers of arrest to the injunction.