A TEENAGER who admitted he was hopelessly addicted to crime has been banned from York.

Magistrates have imposed a criminal antisocial behaviour order (CRASBO) on 18-year-old Daniel Holmes, who has been responsible for causing "absolute mayhem" in the city.

The Acomb tearaway's catalogue of crimes include criminal damage, possession of a flick knife, burglary and threatening members of the public with a golf club when drunk.

The youth branded the youth justice system a joke last autumn, telling the Evening Press how he had committed hundreds of crimes, safe in the knowledge that the police could not touch him because of his age.

"I guess I'm addicted to crime," he admitted.

In February, just a month before his 18th birthday, he escaped a jail sentence after assaulting his mum and stealing alcohol from an off-licence - despite being subject to a supervision and curfew order.

Holmes this week pleaded guilty to stealing six cans of lager from a supermarket on May 9.

Magistrates banned him from coming within the outer ring road unless he had a prearranged police, legal, social service or medical appointment.

In addition, he must not:

cause harassment, alarm, distress or fear of violence to any person or uniformed officer in North Yorkshire

commit any antisocial behaviour, criminal damage or incite others to do so in North Yorkshire

consume alcohol in the public places, other than licensed premises

possess open alcoholic drink in the public places, other than licensed premises.

The order will remain in place for two years.

Community PC Dave White spearheaded the CRASBO application after months of frustration over the criminal and antisocial activities of Holmes on his Micklegate beat and elsewhere in the city.

He spent three days bringing together nine pages of evidence and police reports on his behaviour to present to the court.

He said: "This man is responsible for causing absolute mayhem. He has been the main problem in parts of Holgate, including Cleveland Street, and the ringleader for antisocial behaviour.

"The court decision shows that people like him are not untouchable. His profile has been raised with the police and if he comes into York he will now be arrested. It's as simple as that."

Holmes has been linked with a series of disturbances at Millfield School and the Millfield area, many of which involved other youths.

He has now moved from Acomb to Church Lane, in Selby.

Updated: 10:35 Thursday, May 27, 2004