A young thug and key member of a gang whose racist abuse drove a family from their home can today be named and shamed.

Ayden Dixon, 17, was one of the ringleaders of a group behind a wave of crime and intimidation across Leicester's Braunstone estate earlier this year.

Now, he has been hit with an anti-social behaviour order banning him from the estate for three years.

Dixon and his gang persecuted a Somali family, including throwing eggs and stones at their home, Leicester City Council's anti-social behaviour unit said.

The council eventually decided to move the distressed family to a new home elsewhere in the city.

The group of yobs was also linked by police and the council to the dumping and burning of cars and motorbikes on Braunstone Park.

They also congregated in the street and were so intimidating that people would not leave their homes while they were there.

Dixon can also be arrested and jailed if he is caught threatening anyone or damaging any property in the whole of Leicestershire between now and 2011.

In an unusual move, the court which imposed the Asbo on Dixon lifted restrictions to allow his name and picture to be published in the Leicester Mercury.

A woman who lives in the Benbow Rise area of the estate, where much of the gang activity took place, said: "Ayden Dixon is a horrible kid. Young thugs like him are lucky some of the men on the estate haven't dealt with him.

"I would hope that people here will ring the police if they see him set foot in this area. His mum has moved to a new home off the estate, so he has no reason to be here."

Neil Canham, manager of the anti-social behaviour unit, said action against the remaining members of Dixon's gang was under way.

He said: "People in Braunstone deserve a rest from people like Ayden Dixon."

Sylvia Peutrill, an investigator at Leicester anti-social behaviour unit, said: "To tackle antisocial behaviour, we rely on information from members of the community.

"I would like to thank those members that gave information."

Councillor Culdipp Bhatti, cabinet member for community safety, said: "This kind of behaviour is unacceptable. The council, along with our partners, will take whatever action is necessary to stop people such as this young man causing so many problems for their community."

Under the Asbo, imposed by Leicester magistrates last Thursday, Dixon cannot use or threaten to use violence to any person in Leicestershire or cause or attempt to cause damage in Leicestershire to property belonging to any person.