A TWENTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD man has been banned from shouting, swearing, screaming, fighting, arguing and causing alarm and distress to residents or visitors to a Haddington street.

Lee Rutherford, who is living care of an address in Langriggs, was the subject of a string of complaints stretching back two years, including smoking cannabis in and around the property, arguing, screaming, shouting and banging doors and acting in an aggressive manner – all of which caused alarm and distress to residents of the street.

Despite repeated warnings, the anti-social behaviour continued and the interim Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) was applied for by East Lothian Council and later granted at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Wednesday (October 3).

East Lothian Council’s Safer Communities Team worked closely with Police Scotland to compile the dossier of evidence which was used to prepare the case against Mr Rutherford.

A council spokeswoman said: “We take anti-social behaviour very seriously and it will not be tolerated in East Lothian as it causes a significant level of disruption, fear and distress to our residents, which we deem unacceptable.

"Mr Rutherford has a long history of behaving in an anti-social manner which is why the council applied for this interim ASBO.

"We will take similar action against those who persist in behaving in an unacceptable way.”

The interim order will prevent Mr Rutherford from behaving in the manner described until November 8 when the case will call again.

At that time, the council will ask the court to grant an ASBO in the same terms as the interim order but for a period of two years.