A TEENAGE gang member has been banned from Bolton town centre at night after intimidating staff and customers in McDonald’s.

The 14-year-old appeared at Bolton Magistrates’ Court and was given an Anti Social Behaviour Order, which also bans him from seeing his friends.

Yesterday District Judge Jack McGarva refused to allow publication of the boy’s name — despite the ASBO being imposed to protect the community and its effectiveness depending on people knowing about its existence.

The court heard the youth was a member of a gang known as the Green Gang, so-called because of the colour of their clothes.

They caused a nuisance in the town centre and especially at McDonald’s in Knowsley Street.

Stephen Whitehead, assistant manager at the branch, said that up to 40 youths would go into the fast food outlet and would misbehave.

He recognised the teenager as being part of the gang and told the court: “They would be very loud and mess around and I would have to ask them to leave.

“We have had customers complain and be put off by them. They would come in and use it as a place to meet up and would not buy anything.

“Their language was atrocious and they would play music at full blast.”

The court heard the store had to change its opening hours due to the trouble. It used to open until 11pm, but now closes at 9pm.

The boy also behaved inappropriately at a youth club, including spitting at girls, the court was told.

An interim ASBO was placed on the boy in November and the court was told the boy had made good progress and had not breached the order.

The ASBO, which will last for two years, means that the youth cannot enter the town centre between 7pm and 7am.

An appeal by The Bolton News for the order which protected the boy’s identity to be lifted was refused, despite Home Office guidance which says ASBOs should be publicised so communities know action is being taken against wrongdoers in their area.

amanda.smith@ theboltonnews.co.uk