THREE "antisocial" men are waiting to learn if they must go to jail for "blatant" breaches of a court order designed to protect York residents.

Last August, City of York Council working with police and others, secured antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) barring Daniel Christopher Both, 18, and brothers Andrew Mark Wood, 18, and Paul Michael Wood, 20, and three others from part of Foxwood and curbing their behaviour in the rest of the city.

But on February 6, Justin Crossley, prosecuting at Selby Magistrates Court, said Both and the younger brother taunted council employees inside the banned area.

In particular they pointed at a community worker and shouted: "We know we are off to court. We are off to get sent down. When we get back we are going to f... get you. These ASBOs are a waste of f.... time."

The woman victim was shocked and scared and felt vulnerable after the incident in Foxwood, said Mr Crossley.

The pair and the older brother were already on bail for other breaches of the order committed in September involving members of the group entering the barred area and playing ball, kicking footballs over vehicles and Andrew Wood shouting at a former Foxwood resident.

Andrew Wood pleaded guilty to four breaches of the ASBO in Foxwood, Cornlands Road, Hamilton Drive and Rodgers Court.

Paul Wood pleaded guilty to September breaches in Cornlands Road and Rodgers Court and Both to breaches in February and September.

All three used to live in Doherty Walk, Foxwood, but gave addresses in Smeaton Road, Upton, Pontefract, in court.

"Why are they blatantly breaching the order of the court? Are they aware it could carry five years on indictment in the crown court?" asked district judge Chris Darton.

He adjourned all three cases until June 27 at the request of defence solicitor Lee Goodchild for pre-sentence reports, warning them that he had not decided yet whether they will keep their freedom or be jailed.

Then, at the council's request, he extended the order to cover an area around Cornlands Road.

Mr Crossley said the group had merely moved their activities to a different part of the city and that the February breach occurred after the three were said to have left York for Pontefract.

The original order was made after residents complained to the council about the group's behaviour. Two others subject to the order have already admitted breaching it.

Updated: 09:02 Wednesday, May 22, 2002