NEIGHBOURS say Shane Gibbons -- nicknamed 'Fregsey' -- terrorised the Oldhams estate in Sharples either on his own or with gangs of youths since 1999.

Residents and shopkeepers yesterday welcomed the anti-social behaviour order banning him from their neighbourhood for five years.

But many feared it would not work and that the 14-year-old, whose name is still daubed in graffiti on Barlow Park Youth Club, would soon be back to terrorise the estate.

Gibbons' victims are too scared to be named by the Bolton Evening News.

One shopkeeper said: "He always went around with something in his hand whether it was a hammer or a screwdriver or a replica gun. I even saw him with a chainsaw.

"He would smash things up or break into houses all over the estate and he was always taking drugs and causing havoc. He drank heavily and terrorised the off-licence. I have never seen such a terrible boy.

"I'm pleased about the order but it won't stop him. He'll be back."

Pensioners from old people's accommodation near Barlow Park have been plagued by burglaries and many suspect that Gibbons was involved.

One 80-year-old said: "He wants sending down for good. I have been burgled and so have a lot of my neighbours including a disabled man.

"You would see him and his cronies hanging around watching for people to go out. That is quite frightening for older people."

A mother who lives in Barlow Park Avenue added: "He is a trouble maker and I am glad to see the back of him.

"This is a step in the right direction but who is going to stop him coming back?"

One resident claimed that a pregnant woman's house was broken into in the middle of the night and Gibbons frightened her so much that she needed hospital treatment.

Others told how he threatened to damage a car with a chainsaw and poured WD40 through a shop letterbox.

One woman said: "I saw him grow up from a nice lad to this little monster who was into drugs . It is a shame for a lad so young but they won't be able too stop him now, it's too late."