A KENT MP says he is dismayed after learning that two young offenders responsible for a reign of terror in their neigbourhood have escaped custodial sentences.

Dartford MP Howard Stoate was reacting after brothers Daniel and Damien Brown appeared before a court charged with breaching their anti-social behaviour orders.

Dr Stoate said magistrates were weakening the hard work done by himself and fellow and politicians.

He stressed: "It's very frustrating as an MP working with a government who is doing its utmost to relieve the problems of anti-social behaviour only to find our work is being undermined by the judiciary."

Daniel Brown, 16, and Damien Brown, 17, both of Hillhouse Road, Stone, near Dartford, were initially given ASBOs in November 2002, for a catalogue of abuse, harassment, violence and threats. Between them the pair have been arrested 41 times in five years.

During their trial on June 17, the court heard evidence from Sharon Thomas who described her life as "dreadful" because of the brothers.

Both Daniel and Damien Brown denied breaching their ASBOs and came to court armed with fake alibis. The court adjourned to await pre-sentence reports before the actual sentencing took place on Tuesday this week.

Although chair of the bench Lois Birrell warned the brothers they could face a custodial sentence if breached the orders again, she chose to follow the recommendations of the reports.

Mrs Birrell was the chair of the bench during the trial in November 2002 and she was subjected to a tirade of abuse from the brothers.

Damien Brown was made the subject of an action plan, which means in the next three months he will have to take part in twice weekly sessions, in order to access further training and education.

He will also be having one to one sessions and will be supervised by a member of the youth offending team. Daniel Brown was given a community punishment order and must work for 125 hours without pay.

Mrs Birrell said: "We are going to make a community punishment order because we think this will help you repay the community in some way." Both brothers were ordered to pay £20 towards costs.

Mr Stoate said afterwards: "It's very, very disappointing that magistrates don't take these matters more seriously. ASBOs should be seen as a last resort and a very harsh measure. If they are breached the punishment should be harsh and include perhaps loss of liberty."

But Kent Police said the ASBOs against the Brown brothers had been effective to some extent. Supt Martin Hewitt said: "The orders are a result of months of hard work from everyone involved. The fact that we have brought the individuals before the courts for an offence such as verbal abuse highlights how far we can go to bring offenders such as the Browns under control.

"In the last few months the number of reports and the level of offences being committed in Stone has reduced considerably which shows how successful we have been in using the orders and we will continue to do so."