Two teenagers who plagued a North-East town centre with a campaign of violence and intimidation have been fined for breaching a landmark court order.

Joanne Mafham, 18, and Claire Richards, 17, became the first female friends to be made the subject of anti-social behaviour orders in October.

The pair committed more than 30 recorded offences between them last year including theft, damage and abusing shopkeepers.

Magistrates in Darlington took the rare step to curb the girls' activities and banned them from being seen together in public, harassing members of the public and drinking.

But the pair found themselves in trouble again after they were spotted together at 3am outside the Mardi Gras nightclub in Gladstone Street, Darlington on February 22.

Joanne Mafham, of Yarm Road, in the town, appeared at Newton Aycliffe magistrates court yesterday where she pleaded guilty to breaching the order by associating with Claire Richards and being under the influence of alcohol in a public street.

Prosecuting, Hari Janu said: "These orders are not made lightly. There has been a serious level of offending by the defendant and her record speaks for itself.

"On this occasion it was shortly before 3am officers attended to a group of youths outside the Mardi Gras and were aware of Claire Richards and Joanne Mafham.

"They were clinging to each other and appeared drunk and were shouting at the police officers. CCTV footage clearly shows Joanne Mafham pushing a woman in the chest and a male in the chest."

Chris Bunting, defending, said that there had been a marked improvement in Joanne Mafham's behaviour since she was made subject to the ASBO and there had been no further offending apart from the February 22 incident.

He said the teenager was afraid of Claire Richards, of Grange Road, Darlington, who appeared to have an 'obsession' with Joanne.

He said: "From information I have accumulated Claire Richards seems determined to continue contact with Joanne in spite of the ASBO.

"She is genuinely concerned and frightened of Claire Richards."

Mafham also admitted four breaches of conditional dishcharges imposed for two counts of using insulting behaviour, riding a pedal cycle whilst drunk or under the influence of drugs and taking a cycle without authority.

Magistrate David Raine said: " We take the view that you were led astray by Claire Richards and were under her influence."

Joanne was fined £45 and ordered to pay £55 costs.

An order banning Richards' identity was lifted after an appeal by The Northern Echo.