A 21-YEAR-OLD man who took part in an unprovoked gang attack in Clitheroe town centre has been banned from the town for the next three years.

And a district judge sitting at Blackburn magistrates said he hoped he hadn't just moved the problem to Longridge, where Robert Edward Bibby now lives.

Bibby, of Beacon Villas, Longridge, pleaded guilty to assaulting Kristoff Rodrigues causing him actual bodily harm. He was given a five month prison sentence suspended for two years by district judge John Sawyer, who warned Bibby the Anti Social Behaviour Order was a final chance.

"You can spend the next three years in prison or in society the choice is yours," said Mr Sawyer. "You know what this anti-social behaviour order means because apparently all your friends are subject to them."

The ASBO prohibits him from entering Clitheroe except when on his way to attend appointments with the probation service in Blackburn, associating with 10 named individuals, consuming alcohol or drugs or being under the influence of alcohol or drugs in any public place, causing harassment, alarm or distress or inciting others to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

Mr Sawyer said he was giving Bibby a chance by not sending him to prison immediately.

"I will remember this chance I have given you today," said Mr Sawyer. "I should have sent you to prison and I will remember the mercy I have shown you. If you decide to provoke the courts or the police we now have powers to deal with you and you will end up in prison for a long time.

"It may well be that by banning you from Clitheroe I am simply moving the problem to Longridge but the police officers there are on notice of what is happening," he added.

The court heard that Bibby's anti-social behaviour was fuelled by alcohol and drugs

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Mr Rodrigues was walking along Moor Lane when he was approached by Bibby and two girls who asked him for cigarettes. After refusing he was attacked by all three. He was punched and kicked and lost his glasses before escaping to a nearby takeaway and raising the alarm.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said that since Bibby had been living in hostel type accommodation in Longridge there had been a lot of progress.