A TEENAGE troublemaker has pledged to get his life back on the straight and narrow, after becoming the first person in Didcot to be given an Antisocial Behaviour Order (Asbo).

James Budziszewski, 17, was handed the Asbo by police after terrorising shoppers in the Orchard Centre by shouting, swearing and making threats.

Under the terms of the order, drawn up by Didcot magistrates, the unemployed teenager is banned from entering the centre for two years.

But since the order was made on Friday, Budziszewski said he has realised the error of his ways - and if he does not turn his life round soon he will end up in jail.

The former Wallingford School pupil, who now lives in Orwell Drive on the Ladygrove estate, said he is ashamed.

He recently breached the terms of an Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC) signed in November 2006, asking him to stay away from the shopping centre.

But Budziszewski told the Didcot Herald this time is different - and he is promising to be good forever.

He said: "The Asbo has made me realise that I have made some big mistakes. But now I'm going to change my life around, get a job, everything like that. I want to be on the straight and narrow.

"I've been in Didcot for about a year, but I was always getting in trouble in Wallingford before that.

"Sgt Fraser Weller gave me a proper good talking to when I was at the station and I realised I would end up in prison if things didn't stop."

The teenager has been given a copy of the map detailing the areas where he is banned. He may go as far as the new Cineworld multiplex, but if he strays into the shopping area, supermarket, car park and service station he could be arrested and charged with breach of his Asbo.

Since the order came into force on Friday, banning him from entering the centre until June 22, 2009, Budziszewski has been looking for jobs in construction.

He said police, family and friends have all been supportive now he wants to make a new start.

Neighbourhood specialist officer PC Chris Ball said: "He has been causing us a lot of problems, but hopefully this will be the end of it."

This is the first time police have applied for an Asbo against a teenager in Didcot.

John Cornelius, antisocial behaviour officer for police in South Oxfordshire, said: "I do take an interest in people like James to see if I can step in with different kinds of interventions before they end up in prison.

"ASBOs are a last resort. But he has said to me that he is looking to turn his life around. I hope he sticks to it."