AN “agitated man” reduced a frightened teenager to tears, hurling abuse at her as she walked to school and forcing her to seek refuge in a shop.

The 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was so upset she burst into tears and suffered panic attacks after the incident, in Sebright Avenue, at about 11.45am on March 8.

The man who accosted her, Alan Jenkins, aged 57, of Sebright Avenue, off London Road, Worcester, appeared before district judge Nigel Cadbury at Worcester Magistrates Court.

The court was told that police are so concerned about his behaviour they are considering imposing a criminal anti-social behaviour order (Crasbo).

Jenkins admitted using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour.

Kerry Lovegrove, prosecuting, said officers arrived to find Jenkins “shouting and swearing in the street”.

Miss Lovegrove said: “They said he appeared to be extremely agitated but, on speaking to him, he didn’t appear to be drunk or smell of alcohol. “He was shouting and speaking to someone who just wasn’t there.”

When he spoke to police he said he was waiting for a friend but was arrested “to prevent a breach of the peace”, the court was told.

The original report to police about Jenkins’ behaviour was made by a 15-year-old girl who was on her way to school when he called her “a slag and a tramp” and swore, mumbled things towards her and began to follow her.

Miss Lovegrove said: “She became scared by this behaviour and took refuge in a neighbouring shop. She felt extremely distressed and frightened. When she arrived at school she felt she was having a panic attack and she was very tearful.”

Mark Turnbull, defending, said the house where Jenkins lived had recently been involved in a house fire and parts of the property had been rendered uninhabitable, caused by “reckless behaviour” by someone living at the same bedsit.

Mr Turnbull said Jenkins had gone back to the property to move his possessions and there was an argument between him and another resident about whether he should be there.

He said: “Mr Jenkins had very limited recollection of what happened with the young girl. He remembers being on the street shouting. He remembers being quite angry about his situation. He apologised in interview.

“When he heard what had been said and how she felt, he felt terrible about what had happened and was very sorry.”

District judge Nigel Cad-bury said the offence had certain worrying features and he was not surprised that police were looking into the possibility of a Crasbo.

Jenkins was fined £70, ordered to pay £85 costs, a £20 victim surcharge and £50 compensation to the victim.

Another hearing on Wednesday at Worcester Magistrates Court will decide whether or not a Crasbo will be imposed.