AN ASBO teenager who persistently caused trouble on the streets of Hayes has been banned from wearing a bulletproof vest.
Sixteen-year-old Coucou Kasongo was given a two-year Anti-Social Behaviour Order with conditions at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court last Thursday.
The terms of the order state that he is not to associate with 16 young people, most of whom are also under 18, unless supervised by a member of the borough's Youth Offending Team.
He is barred from entering the areas surrounding Rosedale College, in Wood End Green Road, Hayes, and Mellow Lane School, in Hewens Road, Hayes, and he is restricted from going near Hayes and Harlington railway station.
He is also not allowed to be in possession of any mobile phone not registered in his name.
More unusual conditions prohibit Kasongo from wearing any scarf or bandana, and he is not allowed to wear a bulletproof vest, which he wore to 'give him more confidence in certain situations,' the court heard.
The Gazette reporter at the hearing successfully applied to have the automatic restrictions on the press naming Kasongo overturned.
The Magistrate told the court: "He must realise that there are consequences to actions.
"Our concern is our ability to enforce the order, and the public's confidence in the system. We must be mindful of this, as well as of Coucou's situation."
The order was sought by the police in partnership with Hillingdon Council, who have recently launched a vigorous campaign clamping down on anti-social behaviour in the borough.
Superintendent Des Rock said: "This Asbo was necessary and the prohibitions put in place were proportionate. Coucou has been active in threatening and intimidating other young people within the Hayes and West Drayton area.
"The prohibitions in this order will ensure that he can be kept in check, and it will no doubt make the borough's streets safer. It sends out a clear message to other individuals that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated."
Anti-social behaviour officer PC Heidi Rutherford, who was at the hearing, said: "This is an excellent result, and it has taken six months of preparation to bring the case to court."
