A 41-year-old Ramsbottom resident who caused trouble in town centre pubs, trashed banks and building societies, and made nuisance 999 calls, has been given an ASBO.

He also threatened his neighbours, trashed his own house and randomly assaulted people, Bury magistrates heard.

David Newton, of Victoria Street, is now barred from several pubs, banks and shops in the town.

For years he drunkenly tormented his neighbours by screaming and shouting, throwing furniture out of his windows and playing loud dance music.

Newton was released from prison just a few weeks ago for several unprovoked assaults after he approached an elderly man in Ramsbottom, took off his glasses and punched him in the face.

Neighbour Philip Hodgson, who has lived next door to Newton for around 18 months, was landed with a £2,000 bill last year when Newton burst his own water pipe and flooded his neighbours’ homes.

After the hearing, Mr Hodgson, aged 38, said: “He would be screaming and shouting and smashing his house up. It got worse day by day and then there were cupboards coming out of his bedroom window. Things just accelerated.

“He would come out screaming ‘I’m gonna kill you’, ‘I hate you all’ and ‘no one likes me’, not directly at me, just like he was ranting.”

When Mr Hodgson’s girlfriend Janine, aged 24, became pregnant, the couple became scared of Newton’s behaviour. Mr Hodgson said: “She was really nervous around him and a bit scared. Now again I tried to calm him down, he would say ‘yeah, yeah’ and then his music would be blaring again. It has been a nightmare.”

Neighbours say Newton has lived in the terraced house for 15 years but his behaviour became more extreme over the past couple of years.

He lives alone, relying on benefits and Job Seekers Allowance, as well as his parents who take food to the house which he owns.

The house is described as a mess and Newton has reportedly been living without windows since November after he smashed them.

Neighbours have lodged complaints with the police and Bury Council which brought the matter to Bury Magistrates’ Court.

The anti-social behaviour order prevents Newton from shouting, banging, smashing or damaging his own property, playing loud music, being drunk in a public place, and using foul, abusive or threatening language or behaviour.

He is also barred from 11 pubs in Ramsbottom, The Royal Bank of Scotland and Memories Antiques in Bridge Street, and Santander, Bolton Street.

PC Kevin Day said: “David Newton has been one of the most prolific anti-social offenders that I’ve ever had to deal with.

“He’s a nuisance to the general public in Ramsbottom and I hope this order will protect his neighbours from his aggressive and anti-social behaviour.”