NEIGHBOURS of the family which styled themselves the Buckfastleigh Mafia have spoken of their disappointment that Dean Brien's antisocial behaviour order will allow him to continue visiting the town.

In a landmark ruling last June, all four male members of the Brien family, Leslie 48, and three sons Dean, 26, Darren 23, and Jimmy, 18, were given ten-year asbos.

Leslie, Darren and Jimmy were banned from entering Buckfastleigh but the same condition could not be applied to Dean as he was living in Gypsy Lane.

Teign Housing has since repossessed his Gypsy Lane home. It had been expected that he would also be banned from the town.

But at a recent hearing to consider the ban, South Devon Magistrates at Torquay made a variation in the condition which will allow Dean to visit his brother-in-law in Tweenaways, a stone's throw from Gypsy Lane. He is not allowed to enter any other part of the town.

Neighbours, who gave evidence in court of street fighting, drunken and aggressive behaviour, threats, loud music being played, dogs barking and deliberately inconsiderate parking, say they feel let down by the decision.

Dean's former next-door neighbour Sally Robinson said: 'I am very disappointed because he can still come into Buckfastleigh. Tweenaways is just above where we live and he won't just go there.

'I have tried to put him out of my head and get on with my life. He threatened to kill me and my children, it was constant. I nearly took my own life because of him, I was dosed on anti-depressants. I can't put them behind me, maybe in a year or so. I still don't venture out of my house that often.'

Helen Kneebone, of Fairy Lane, also gave evidence. She lives opposite the house that Dean is allowed to visit.

'I am very disappointed. If the other three were banned, he should have been banned as well. I think it is very unfair to all the residents, especially the ones who went to court.'

Dean's other former neighbour Barry Eveleigh said he also felt let down but said the struggle had been worth it.

'I was hoping he would be kept out of the town but since he's been evicted we've had no problem at all. We've got some new neighbours who are really nice, my wife can now go outside and get on with her gardening. How it is now is how it should be.'

A Teignbridge Council spokesman said: 'While some disappointment at the ruling is understandable, there are still very strict conditions imposed upon Mr Brien. I'd remind the local community that they can play an important part in enforcing asbo conditions, and any breaches reported to the police will be taken very seriously.

Dean Brien is prohibited from using foul, abusive or threatening language; drinking in public; fighting or shouting in public; parking or positioning a car to restrict other vehicles and approaching witnesses or encouraging others to do so. The maximum sentence for breaching the asbo is five years' imprisonment, a fine or both.