A MAN who was repeatedly caught drinking petrol has been banned from filling stations in part of the North-East.

Brian Taylor, 36, terrorised supermarket staff and shoppers after drinking and sniffing petrol at his local Asda filling station in South Bank, Middlesbrough, on 51 occasions.

Security camera footage, taken in the early hours in July, showed him dancing around the forecourt, seemingly high on fumes, after cutting the fuel lines and pouring himself a drink.

But on other occasions, he was aggresive and intimidating to staff and customers at the filling station who tried to stop him.

Security footage caught him both at night and in daylight taking a drink from the pumps.

Mr Taylor has now been made the subject of a four year Anti-Social Behaviour Order (Asbo) which bans him from petrol stations across Teesside and also forbids him from carrying petrol or solvents in a public place.

If he breaks the order, he could face jail.

Sergeant Bryan Tams, of Cleveland Police, said Mr Taylor's actions were a danger to himself and the general public.

He said: "People have turned up at the petrol station when the pipe has been cut, not knowing it has been cut, and when they have gone to put petrol in their car they have been sprayed all over with petrol, which is obviously very dangerous.

"I have heard reports of certain meetings when Mr Taylor turned up and absolutely stunk of petrol.

"The fumes have been so bad the meeting has had to be cancelled and he has been asked to leave the building."

It is thought Mr Taylor's actions cost thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Staff at the Asda store in South Bank last night refused to comment on Mr Taylor's actions or the Asbo.

Police have stressed they are trying to get Mr Taylor professional help for his unusual drinking problem.