CHRISTMAS has come early for fed-up residents and traders after a teenage tearaway was slapped with a two-year Asbo.

Sanchez Williams, aged 17, has terrorised residents in the Burnt Ash Lane area of Bromley, for more than a year.

He has been verbally abusive, caused disorder and been involved in burglary and theft from cars.

Under the conditions of the Asbo, which was made at Bromley Magistrates' Court, Williams, of Goudhurst Road, Downham, must not: use threatening, racist, foul or abusive words or behaviour towards anyone in Bromley borough; damage or threaten to damage other people's property in Burnt Ash Lane, Shaftesbury Park, Brook Lane or Sudbury Crescent, all in the Plaistow area of Bromley; be in a group of more than three people whose presence and behaviour is likely to harass, alarm or distress anyone in the above streets; enter Ridgeway Drive, Bromley; associate with certain named people in any public place; touch or enter any vehicle without the owner's permission.

If he breaches the Asbo, he could be imprisoned for up to five years.

The chairman of a residents' association, who did not want to be named, said: "He has been causing a lot of aggravation and the Asbo is the least he should have got."

The Asbo was handed down by the court, following joint action between Bromley Council's anti-social behaviour unit and police.

Executive councillor for community safety and leisure Neil Reddin said: "We welcome the order to curb the behaviour of someone who has clearly terrorised his neighbourhood."

Chief Inspector Adrian Young, who worked with the council to bring about the Asbo, said: "The granting of this order is welcomed as an effective measure to control the criminal and anti-social behaviour of Sanchez Williams.

"It is important the community, who have had to tolerate his appalling behaviour, are reassured police and council will protect them.

He added: "I hope it sends out a clear message to the minority of people who affect the lives of others through their anti-social behaviour they will not be allowed to get away with it."

Members of the public should tell police if they see Williams breaching his Asbo, which runs until December 2007.