A TEENAGE girl has been banned from part of a Hampshire town centre for two years.

Rebecca Strevens, 14, pictured, vandalised a bus station and repeatedly intimidated shopkeepers and residents in a reign of terror lasting months.

Magistrates handed her an Antisocial Behaviour Order which also forbids her from going out at night unless accompanied by an adult.

They warned that it was her last chance and that breaking any part of the order would mean she would be put behind bars.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Strevens has vowed to change her ways. She said she was so "shaken up" by coming so close to being locked up that she was determined to clean up her act.

Strevens said: "they told me they would give me one last chance. The thought of jail shook me up. I'm sorry for what I have done."

Southampton magistrates told Strevens she was close to going to jail after she failed to comply with previous court orders.

Traders in the Broadwater Road shopping centre in Romsey were today breathing sighs of relief and looking forward to a break from being harassed by Strevens.

She said: "I am not making excuses for her but I do think it is part of the reason why teenagers misbehave around here."

Strevens is only the third youth in the Test Valley area to have received an ASBO.

Vanessa Davies is antisocial behaviour coordinator for Test Valley Borough Council, which took the case to court. She said: "I believe that the order Becci has received will assist her in changing her behaviour."

Chief Insp Rob Dexter of Hampshire police added: "This sends out a clear message to those who behave in this way that it will not be tolerated."

ALLEGATIONS:

Criminal damage at the Broadwater Road bus station.

Causing harassment, alarm and distress in the Broadwater Road and Dukes Mill area.

Abusive language, swearing.

Offensive behaviour

Intimidation of local residents.