A Bristol teenager who terrorised his neighbours for five months – once firing a makeshift flamethrower through the letterbox of a boy with learning difficulties – is to be given an anti social behaviour order.

A court heard 17-year-old James Randall, of Longlands House, Barton Hill, caused problems almost nightly, including turning off the electricity supply to homes, smoking drugs, throwing eggs at passers-by and once firing an air rifle.

The tear away was due to appear at Bristol Magistrates Court for an Asbo hearing, after a catalogue of complaints from residents.

But he failed to turn up so the civil case went ahead in his absence, and district judge David Parsons imposed a four-year order that will come into effect as soon as Randall is served.

The court record stated Randall was accused of 17 separate incidents between February 18 and July 21 this year, and two regular patterns of behaviour.

This included going to a private driveway with a group, smoking cannabis, tampering with and breaking into a car on the drive, and knocking on a door in the early hours to ask for money and cigarettes.

He regularly threatened and intimidated a 19-year-old with learning difficulties who lived in the area.

Robin Denford, prosecuting on behalf of Bristol City Council said: "Randall has for some time been making a significant nuisance of himself in Barton Hill.

"The council is particularly concerned about his deliberate intimidation of an individual, a young man with learning difficulties. He dragged him out of the flat and intimidated him.

"These are classic types of anti social behaviour Asbos were designed to prevent.

"This catalogue of misery Randall has perpetrated on residents must stop.

"We are seeking assistance in improving things for residents of the Barton Hill area.

"Since he has not been seen things have improved for residents and hopefully that improvement will continue once this order is served."

Christopher Jones, of the council's anti-social behaviour team, gave evidence at the hearing, as did a number of police officers.

Jo Atherton, representing Randall, had come to court to argue the case should be adjourned, arguing there was no proof Randall had been made aware of the hearing.

The boy's mother attended and said she had not seen him in a month.

Mr Parsons said the respondent knew proceedings had been started and had failed to keep in contact with his solicitors or his mother.

The conditions of the order, which applies to the Barton Hill area, include not to harass, alarm, distress swear at or verbally abuse anyone; not to throw eggs or other missiles at any person or property; not to trespass on private property; not to enter Barton Court or enter within 10m of half a dozen other properties in the area and not to associate with a number of named people.

The case was adjourned until November 20 at Bristol Magistrates Court.