A MAN labelled a persistent troublemaker by police has been ordered by a court not to harass or threaten anyone after a string of complaints from shops and residents.

Craig Andrew Wayper from Wolsingham has been made the subject of a Criminal Anti-Social Behaviour Order (Crasbo) by magistrates in Newton Aycliffe.

The order had been sought by Weardale neighbourhood policing team and the Safe Durham Partnership after the 30-year-old was convicted of several offences including shop lifting and making off without paying for fuel, a practice also known as bilking.

The two-year Crasbo states Wayper of Lydgate Avenue "must not harass, threaten or abuse any person; associate in any public place with a named individual (a 20-year-old local man); enter any premises from which he has been barred; damage or interfere with property belonging to others or encourage anyone else to commit any act prohibited by the order".

PC Elis Hutchinson said the order was sought following complaints from residents and shopworkers in Wolsingham about Wayper's behaviour.

The officer said: "Craig Wayper is well-known in the area for being involved in anti-social behaviour and crime.

“He has been drunk and abusive in public, has convictions for theft and shoplifting and has been abusive and aggressive to shop staff when challenged.

"In short, he is a persistent troublemaker.

"At one point last year we estimate he and two of his friends were responsible for around 70 per cent of all calls we received relating to incidents in Wolsingham.”

Wolsingham’s Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Stewart Liddle put together the application for the hearing.

He said: "It is for the most part a very quiet village and Wayper's behaviour has caused alarm and distress to a number of people for far too long.

"Hopefully this order will curb his behaviour and reassure the public that positive action has been taken.”

If he breaches any of the terms of the two-year order it will be recorded as a crime each time and will potentially lead to six months imprisonment and or a fine.

If a case goes to crown court he could be jailed for up to five years and or land an unlimited fine.