Council chiefs trying to evict troublesome South Tyneside tenant are granted extra time
A tenant faces a three-month extension on a closure order as antisocial behaviour continues to alarm neighbours.
Council chiefs seeking to evict a troublesome South Tyneside tenant have been granted extra time to better monitor his anti-social behaviour-hit property.
They appealed to a court for a three-month extension to an already in place partial closure order for the abode in Witham Green, Hedworth, Jarrow.
The property is managed by South Tyneside Homes and council intervention started with an initial appeal to the courts on Tuesday, May 19.
On that date at the borough’s magistrates’ court, the local authority was granted a three-month partial closure order.
But with that order set to end, they returned to seek a three-month extension, highlighting further trouble since.
After hearing neighbours remained seriously concerned by ongoing antics, it was granted by District Judge Zoe Passfield.
Making the second application, Victoria Molloy, representing South Tyneside Council, said the first order had been granted after numerous incidents of serious anti-social behaviour.
These occurred between 2021 and May of this year and included criminal activity, some of which was investigated by police and led to multiple verbal and formal warnings.
Ms Molloy said a further 10 incidents of anti-social behaviour had been reported since May, almost all involving a woman known to the authorities who attends the property.
She said the tenant appeared unable to prevent her turning up and from even letting herself in.
This has resulted in police attendance to remove her and has directly resulted in the council instigating possession proceedings.
Ms Molloy added: “It is because of the above that the local authority applies to extend the closure order for a further three months to prevent the occurrence, reoccurrence or continuation of the disorderly behaviour associated with the premises and whilst the application for possession of the property takes place.
“The local authority fear that if the extension is not granted and the closure removed that the local authority and the police will lose the ability to effectively monitor and police the premises and that the behaviour will escalate and increase in seriousness.
“In making the application the authority have consulted with the chief of police who is fully supportive of the application.”
The order extension began on August 18.