Court order: Cardiff county council

The anti-social orders were brought in by the then Home Secretary Jack Straw, under the Crime and Disorder Act.

The council said it was delighted by the move, which Mr Flynn had opposed.

He had admitted to holding convictions for assault but claimed that his behaviour was reformed since leaving a young offenders institution.

District Judge Gill Wilkins, sitting in civil proceedings at Cardiff magistrates' court heard how Mr Flynn dragged his ex-girlfriend by her hair across a playground, assaulted her friend and attacked a car with a machete.

'Ruled the area'

He also racially abused a police officer.

One of the victims, Sarah Moorland, 20, has been forced to move 100 miles away from the city.

She said Mr Flynn had acted as if he ruled the area and had intimidated and threatened many people who were too frightened to come to court to give evidence.

The council's housing depot acted after receiving numerous complaints about Mr Flynn's behaviour over a period of years.

Only two anti-social orders so far been granted in Wales - one north Wales and another in Port Talbot.

Cardiff council said it was now taking forward several other cases.

North Wales Police, which successfully prosecuted a 13-year-old last year, said Neath Port Talbot Council intend to do the same.