Baby-faced ASBO brothers banned from town centre

Thomas Ward, 12, and his 14-year- old brother Anthony were given three-year Anti-Social Behaviour Orders.

The pair began causing trouble shortly after they moved to Heywood, Greater Manchester, with their travelling family.

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12-year-old Thomas Ward has been given a three-year Anti Social Behaviour Order - just like his elder brother Anthony

Yesterday residents and shopkeepers spoke of their delight that the brothers have been banned from the town centre.

They have also been barred from visiting certain housing estates and meeting named individuals.

Anthony Ward received his Asbo in January when he was accused of a string of misdemeanours.

This week his little brother received a similar sanction after being accused of shoplifting, vandalism and screaming racist and homophobic abuse.

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Anthony Ward, who was given his ASBO in January, is banned from entering Heywood town centre along with another shopping area in Rochdale

Both boys had been living with their family in a block of flats but have now been moved to another part of Greater Manchester.

The pair committed 18 months of offences in Heywood and the Kirkholt area of Rochdale.

They were responsible for intimidation, criminal damage, robbery and various public order offences.

Thomas's order was exactly the same as the Asbo given to his brother, apart from a section concerning the possession of golf clubs "in public".

It also differed slightly in terms of the names of the people he is no longer allowed to associate with.

Yesterday a shopkeeper, who did not want to be named for fear of reprisals, said: "No one should be fooled by the angelic looks of these boys.

"In reality they are little monsters who have brought misery to the area.

"We have made all sorts of complaints about these two brothers and now we will get a well-earned rest from their thuggery.

"Everyone is breathing a collective sigh of relief that action has been taken against them.

"It's a pity they were not locked up too."

Both brothers carried out similar public order offences, vandalising estates and defecating in lifts, stairwells and balconies.

Last night a spokesman for Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, who brought the case, said: "Sadly in this case there were some profound welfare issues.

"They do not really know the difference between right and wrong.

"They would do anything from throwing fireworks under cars to scrawling graffiti and knocking over bins on housing estates.

"On one occasion they ran into a supermarket and pushed a trolley full of food out into the street before throwing it on to the floor."