A TEARAWAY teenage girl is the latest Grimsby troublemaker to be given an antisocial behaviour order – at the age of just 14.
Alexandra Lawlor's behaviour had already become so alarming, despite her tender years, that an Asbo was needed to stamp down on her antics, a court heard.
The two-year order was imposed on Lawlor at Grimsby Youth Court, where magistrates heard about her catalogue of misbehaviour.
Lawlor, of Cabourne Road, Nunsthorpe, admitted public order and criminal damage offences.
The court heard that Lawlor was involved in a disturbance on January 22 in which she and another girl jumped up and down on beds in the Dunelm Mill store in Victoria Street, Grimsby.
They hurled a wheelchair around near the entrance to the store and shouted: "Come and fight."
The police were alerted to deal with them and both girls ran off. They were arrested nearby.
The criminal damage offence happened on December 11 and involved Lawlor and her friend entering Tesco in Yarborough Road, Grimsby.
She became verbally abusive to staff there and pushed them while the police were being called. She tried to prevent the call being made by attempting to grab the telephone.
During the disturbance, Lawlor damaged a display of crisps and threw two packets onto the floor.
She had previously been banned from the supermarket because of her antisocial behaviour.
Lawlor asked for two other public order offences, on December 6 and 10, to be taken into consideration.
Prosecutor Martin Howarth told the court that it was unusual to apply for an Asbo on a girl so young but that it was necessary because of her behaviour.
Gary Bulbeck, representing the girl, did not oppose the application. The youth offending team also supported the Asbo as a way of helping to keep close tabs on Lawlor's behaviour.
The magistrates told the teenager: "This behaviour is unusual for a 14-year-old. You are becoming a big nuisance and are even making people fearful. The issuing of an Asbo is a serious matter."
Lawlor was given an eight-week 8pm to 7am curfew, nine months' supervision and a 36-day activity requirement, including taking part in the "Prison Me No Way" programme.
After the hearing, PC Jenny Kerrawn, a police neighbourhood beat manager, said: "Alex causes enormous problems in and around the area where she lives and also in parts of Grimsby town centre.
"She causes problems all over the place and can be quite difficult to deal with.
"For a child of her age to behave so irresponsibly and irrationally is unusual, but we now have the means to change her.
"If she fails, I would urge all members of the community to let us know and we will deal with her."
When approached by the Grimsby Telegraph at her home yesterday, Alexandra's mother said her daughter was "just a kid messing about, showing off to her mates, which got out of hand."
She said she had provided her mobile number to the shops where Alexandra had caused trouble and would come straight away if her daughter turned up there, adding: "What more can I do?"
Indicating that she didn't want to comment further, she told the reporter: "Just print it. I don't care what people think."
