ONE of Dorset's most persistent offenders could face up to five years behind bars for breaching his latest anti-social behaviour order (asbo).

Mark Bown, described as Christchurch's most anti-social resident, has amassed a string of convictions over two decades.

When he was first made the subject of an asbo in October 2003, police distributed leaflets bearing his picture to every house in the borough asking locals to report any problem behaviour.

At the time Bown, from Rutland Road, Fairmile, was known in Christchurch for drug possession, criminal damage, drinking in the street, abusive behaviour and intimidation.

On Tuesday Bown, who was too drunk to appear in court on Monday, admitted breaching an asbo imposed on April 8 last year.

The first breach in January was at Christchurch railway station and the second at Stafford Road in February. On both occasions Bown was spotted consuming alcohol in a public place.

Prosecuting, Nigel Mitchell said Bown had probably been in breach of his order a third time when he turned up at court drunk.

Mr Mitchell added: "There is a list of many previous convictions echoing very much the counts on this indictment. He is habitually drunk and a nuisance on the streets."

Defending, Brian Sharman applied for bail. He said: "Mr Bown has lived for six years with his mother who is widowed and in her 60s and my application is that he is granted bail to go back there.

"I know this defendant of old; his probation reports are voluminous. He has gone down this road for a number of years."

But Judge John Beashel remanded Bown in custody for the preparation of reports.

He told Bown: "If I release you it is almost certain you will continue committing these anti-social acts and getting very drunk."