A VIOLENT teenage car thief has been banned from driving any vehicle for five years after terrorising an estate.

Lee William McGreavy, aged 19, can now travel only by bus, police car, ambulance, or as a passenger in a car that is insured, fully taxed and has a MOT certificate, under the conditions contained in an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO).

He must also not enter the Paulhan Estate, Great Lever, where he stole 15 cars and committed 11 car crimes, including dangerous driving and arson, from April 1999 to January this year.

McGreavy's other crimes include grabbing a woman by her hair and kicking her -- for which he was charged with violent disorder -- and stealing a child's bicycle.

He vandalised doors and benches and threw stones at a house before starting a fight with its Asian residents.

Now McGreavy, recently released from prison, must stick to a curfew from midnight to 6am and has been ordered not to hang around on the streets with four or more people at any time.

A spokesman for Sunnyside Tenants and Residents' Committee, which covers the area, said: "We are over the moon. It is great news for the whole society.

"He is a nuisance and a criminal who was very well known. The more of these orders the better. People, particularly the elderly, will feel that little bit safer on the streets today." Bolton Council officials successfully obtaining the order at Bolton magistrates' court yesterday after McGreavy admitted 32 anti-social acts.

If he breaks it he will be back before the court and could face up to five years in prison.

Cllr Frank White, Bolton Council executive member for social inclusion and community safety, said: "This successful case -- our third -- sends out a further warning that we will not tolerate this kind of yob behaviour which puts people in fear and distress."

"We have warned that we will not hesitate to use these powers if appropriate. This action is not taken lightly, but this kind of behaviour must be stamped on. People should not be expected to tolerate behaviour of this kind. They have the right to live their lives in peace." Chief Inspector Alan Greene, of Bolton police, said: Car crime might not at first seem like anti-social behaviour but when you have someone stealing cars and driving them around at all times of night it is a particular blight on a people's lives. "He was without a doubt the worst car criminal in that area, although there were others. I am pleased by this result for the residents of Dunbar Drive and Paulhan Street." "It is nice to think that they will now be able to reclaim their community." Most of McGreavy's crimes were carried out around the Paulhan Street and Dunbar Drive area in Great Lever where he then lived.

The exclusion zone is from Settle Street down to Lever Edge Lane and across from Higher Swan Lane to Nugent Road, including St William of York Primary School and playing fields.

Chief Supt Don Brown, divisional commander of Bolton police, said crime levels in the area had fallen by 31 per cent since a number of youth projects began five months ago.

However, he said reports of car theft and theft from cars had risen.

"This order is an indication of our commitment to respond to public concern and help make the streets of Bolton safer." "It is good news for residents. A thorn in the side of their society has been removed for a long time." McGreavy is also banned from using threatening, racist, abusive or foul language in public, and using or threatening violence and damaging or threatening to damage property. He declined to comment after the order was passed.

Anti Social Behaviour Orders were introduced by the Government four years ago. Their aim is to stop persistent young offenders committing crimes and to improve the communities they live in.

McGreavy is the third youth to be the subject of an order in Bolton. The others are Shane Gibbons, who was banned from areas close to his Sharples home and Aaron Booth, aged 17, from Farnworth, who faced similar conditions.

FACT FILE

LEE McGreavy is banned from:-

Being outside in public between the hours of midnight and 6am the next day.

Gathering with four or more people in a public place unless they are members of his family.

Travelling in any vehicle unless a bus, police vehicle or ambulance, or as a lawful passenger in any vehicle which is fully insured, taxed and has a valid MOT certificate.

Entering any of the areas as defined by the magistrates (including Dunbar Drive)

Damaging or threatening to damage property.