A TEENAGER has been sent to a young offenders' unit for six months after breaching his anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) for a third time.

Sean Hart, aged 19, Erith, was found guilty at Bexley Magistrates' Court of assault and breaching his Asbo.

Hart's two-year order was imposed in June last year after he and two others were accused of terrorising the Ocean Park estate in Erith.

Residents from the estate were too terrified to appear in court to give evidence but witnesses, who gave their evidence anonymously, spoke of a gang assault on one resident with sticks and scaffolding poles and of how Hart had threatened another resident.

Hart had said: "Next time you walk the street I'm going to slash your throat."

He had also been convicted of affray for attacking a couple as they arrived home on the estate and of carrying an offensive weapon. He has also been involved in burglary and theft.

At the time the Asbo was imposed, News Shopper successfully opposed attempts to keep Hart's name a secret because of his age.

Bexley Council says a second man, Stephen Lumb, aged 47, of no fixed address, has refused offers of help to deal with his alcohol problems.

Mr Lumb is also subject to an anti-social behaviour order for being drunk, begging, abusing and assaulting people, in the Bexley Village and Sidcup High Street areas.

Mr Lumb was recently jailed for 16 weeks by magistrates for his third breach of the order.

Several councillors have expressed concern about the appropriateness of jailing a man who needs treatment to overcome his problems but Bexley Council says it cannot force Mr Lumb to accept any help.