ABOYwho terrorised a community formonths has become the first child in Scotland to receive an under-16 anti-social behaviour order (Asbo).

The 14-year-old from Renfrewshire, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was given an interim Asbo at Paisley Sheriff Court yesterday.

It was issued almost a year after the orders were first enacted as a flagship measure by JackMcConnell, first minister.

The court banned the boy from assaulting or endangering others, using threatening words or actions, damaging other people's property, moving property he does not own, entering land without being invited, making noise likely to cause alarm or annoyance and inciting others to do the same.

He has also been prohibited from entering certain areas in Renfrewshire.

The boy, thought to be the leader of a local gang, will be subject to intense scrutiny. If he breaches any part of the order, he will appear before a children's panel.

One member of the community, who did not wish to be named, said after the hearing:

"This boy is a serious, persistent offenderwho had been terrorising the community for a long time. This shows other authorities that Asbos can be granted for under-16s."

Cathy Jamieson, the justice minister, has issued warnings to local authorities for failing to use all the provisions of the Anti-Social BehaviourAct. The legislation, introduced in October last year, was expected to target hundreds of young people, but only four teenagers have been tagged.

Some councils have indicated they are not keen to use the measures, while others have criticised the Scottish Children's ReporterAdministration for failing to approve applications before they reach the sheriff court. Several councils, including Glasgow and North Ayrshire, are considering Asbos for particular teenagers, but they are not expected to be granted for several months.

Yesterday's case was in private, and Renfewshire council, which spent months preparing the order, said it could not release details of the areas the boy has been banned from.

In England and Wales, councils print leaflets with the names, photographs, and restrictions on the children granted Asbos. If they breach their orders, they are returned to court and can be imprisoned.

These measures were rejected in the Scottish guidelines.

Proposals to tag and grant Asbos for under-16s were heavily criticised by social workers and children's charities before their introduction, arguing that early intervention and support would be more effective.

A study for the Scottish Executive found two-thirds of councils and housing associations were either "very unlikely" or "fairly unlikely" to use them in the next year against teenagers.

However, the first minister described the orders as "absolutely vital if we are to win our fight against the mindless hooligans who spoil so many lives". The justice minister subsequently warned councils could lose out on funding for refusing to use all the measures.

A Renfrewshire Council spokeswoman said: "We took the step of pursuing the interim Asbo only after very careful consideration with partner organisations. That decision was taken following various interventions and support measures which had been tried over a prolonged period."

Eric Jackson, social work spokesman forCosla, the council umbrella body, said Asbos for under-16s would be considered only as a last resort. "There are many other things we would prefer to try first but, if everything else . . . failed, councils should not shy away from using it." The executive said: "No authority takes the decision to seek an interim Asbo for a young person lightly. However, it is encouraging that we are seeing local agencies being prepared to use the full range of powers available as they seek to provide communities with relief from unacceptable behaviour - and bring some much needed order to chaotic young lives."