Ashley Brennan ‘using up his nine lives as fast as he can go’, says chairman of the bench.

A TEENAGER has been forced to carry out 40 additional hours of unpaid work after breaching an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) in Honiton.

Ashley Brennan, 18, who now lives in Victoria Road, Exmouth, breached his ASBO after he was found using abusive language and behaviour towards members of the public during an incident on February 24.

The ASBO was granted on January 26 for offences which occurred in Honiton. The court heard that at around 10pm on Thursday, February 24, police in Honiton received reports of a male drinking and damaging cars, setting off car alarms. Police noted that Brennan was acting in an anti-social manner while in the company of three other people.

As part of the order, he is prohibited from inciting or encouraging others to act in an anti-social manner, which causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress in the area of Honiton.

He is also prohibited from drinking or being found in possession of alcohol in any public place, except for licensed premises. In addition, Brennan must not congregate in a group of three or more people upon the public highway or open space in a manner which causes, or is likely to cause, a person to fear for their safety.

Brennan was later seen shouting and being aggressive to drivers of passing vehicles.

The court heard that the 18-year-old disappeared to Pottery Close and police later received calls about a disturbance in the street, where one occupant was verbally abused by Brennan. The witness describes going to his car to remove something and saw Brennan being loud and aggressive to a young woman. When the man asked Brennan to keep the noise down, he was verbally abused by Brennan who was acting in an aggressive manner. The man, fearing an assault would take place, called the police and Brennan was subsequently arrested.

Rachel Bentley, for Brennan, described his behaviour as ‘drunken bravado and very silly behavior that is regretted’.

Brennan said: “My younger days are over – I haven’t been back in Honiton since and I don’t associate with the people I used to hang around with. I do want to get a job and sort myself out.”

The chairman of the bench, Lesley Turner, said: “I have to say you know where you are going to end up.

“You are using up your nine lives as fast as you can go and you are only 18. You have got to get your head round that the court gives sentences for a reason. You have got to figure out what to do and stop messing around and try a bit harder.”

Brennan is now required to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.