A mum whose teenage son has been banned from parts of his home town says he needs "help not locking up".

Jason Robinson, 15, has been locked up for breaching his anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) but his mum Heather says this is unfair because he is suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Robinson is serving a 14-month detention order for assault, robbery and breach of his ASBO.

Mrs Robinson, 40, believes the ASBO, which is due to run until 2009, is wrong because of his problems.

She said: "Jason needs help not locking up. In a one-to-one situation he is fine but when provoked or unable to get out of a situation he reacts violently.

"ASBOs are setting people with ADHD up to fail. You may as well just lock them up because a child with ADHD will not be able to stick to the conditions."

The symptoms of the condition include confrontational behaviour, temper tantrums, risk taking and hyperactivity.

Mrs Robinson said: "The police should work with parents of special needs children. Part of Jason's problem is his lack of social skills and one of the conditions of the ASBO is that he doesn't verbally abuse or insult anyone.

"But if somebody insults him he will do it back. I know now he will break the conditions."

The condition of his ASBO means is barred from behaving in a manner that causes or is likely to cause a nuisance anywhere in a public place in West Yorkshire.

And he is not allowed to go into certain areas of home town Otley or meet with a 15-year-old, also from the town, who received a two-year ASBO, seven months ago.

Breaking the conditions of the order could mean Jason could face up to five years in jail.

Mrs Robinson believes Jason should be sectioned under the Mental Health Act as his mental condition has deteriorated since being away from home for the first time in his life.

She said: "I know it sounds awful, but at least if he was in hospital I would get the answers I have been looking for. If they find out what is wrong with him, they can treat it."

She believes with the right medication, Jason could come home and is hopeful that in the future he will be able to find work and get married.

Mrs Robinson, from Weston Park View, Otley, added: "Jason has a lot of love to give and I would like to think that he could lead a normal life - you have to believe that or you would give up hope."

Superintendent Trevor Kerry, who works with Leeds City Council within Leeds Community Safety, feels enough safeguards are built into the system to make sure ASBOs are only made where necessary.

He said: "When we make an application for an ASBO the whole range of evidence is put before the courts. The individual who is before the court, or a representative can put forward reasons why an ASBO may not be appropriate. The court will make its decision based on all the evidence.

"ASBOs are an opportunity for an individual to correct their behaviour - behaviour which has been causing problems for the community.

"That chance is there for the individual to take. We don't put ASBOs in place to make an individual fail or breach the conditions.

"If there are other issues then that is for other agencies to deal with."