Criticism of antisocial behaviour orders (Asbos) is mounting after a 17-year-old who repeatedly breached orders was jailed for murdering a teenage army cadet.

Sixteen-year-old Army Cadet Joseph Lappin was killed after being attacked by 10 young men outside a youth club in Everton in October 2008.

James Moore, 17, from Liverpool pleaded guilty to murder and was given a minimum sentence of 17 years this week. During proceedings the court was told how Moore had repeatedly breached his Asbo.

Youth worker Shaun Glanville runs the Cells community project in Liverpool, which gives young people a taste of what life is like behind bars through a mobile prison.

He said: "They are just dishing out Asbos out now without monitoring the kids that they are given to. As well as giving Asbos you have to put them forward to organisations like us so they can get something out of it.

"They can't work out what they need to do for themselves to change their life so they need help."

His calls are backed by organisations that have been campaigning for an end to Asbos.

Director of the Howard League for Penal Reform Frances Crook said: "The Asbo is a worn out gimmick that fails to prevent further crime and antisocial behaviour. It is ludicrous to think banning children from certain areas, or saying certain words will bring peace to fearful individuals and communities.

"Some children are very challenging and we need imaginative and effective child-centred interventions in order to break the cycle of reoffending."