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A neighbour from hell has been booted out from her home following a stream of anti-social behaviour which sparked 70 complaints over a six month period.
Patricia Connaughton, 23 and her associates, many of whom are alleged to be part of the local criminal element, frequently engaged in behaviour that caused alarm, harassment and distress to other residents and the wider community.
Reports of antisocial behaviour centred around late night parties, noise nuisance, alcohol fuelled arguments and fights. When asked by residents to keep the noise down the occupier often met these requests with abuse and threats of violence. Miss Connaughton also made threats to council staff including social workers, and there were reports of drug dealing from the property and handling of stolen goods. Other people were also given keys to her flat adding further misery to neighbouring residents who were already suffering from the affects of her behaviour.
Following information from Westminster Council, the Metropolitan Police served a Premises Closure Order on the Church Street property under the Anti- Social Behaviour Act 2003.
The Premises Closure Order allows the property to be closed for a minimum of three months and prevents Miss Connaughton or anyone else from residing at the address. If she does return she will be in breach of order, which is a criminal offence for which she could be imprisoned and/or fined.
Since the order was served, the property has now been handed back to the council’s housing provider, and the resident is no longer eligible for housing in Westminster
It is the latest in a string of successes in the battle against anti-social behaviour in Westminster.
In April the council obtain the last three of six ASBOs against a group of young people, banning them from areas around the Mozart Estate. The group, whose ages ranged from 15 to 24, and who were alleged to be involved in drug dealing on the Estate, had been caught on covert CCTV in both the communal and restricted parts of Naylor House, and their behaviour was linked to, the complaints of littering, smoking drugs, noise and intimidating behaviour as well as urinating in public places that had been having a significant impact on the quality of life for local residents.
And in November 2010 another group of six teenagers who had blighted the lives of residents on the Ebury Bridge Estate were hit with a group ASBO – banning them from associating with each other and from intimidating local people in the area.
During a 5-day trial at the City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court, evidence was given which showed 65 separate incidents of anti-social behaviour carried out by members of this group, who were aged between 15-19 and included one young woman, either separately or together over an eight-month period. Their behaviour was so appalling that two families were even forced to move away from the Ebury estate, in Pimlico.
Westminster Council’s cabinet member for children, young people and community protection, Cllr Nickie Aiken said: “These results are a fantastic tribute to the hard work of council officers and the police and show our determination to crack down on anti-social behaviour. It is the responsibility of all of us to keep our neighbours in mind and to report those who are over-stepping the mark.”
Church Street Safer Neighbourhoods Sgt, Ian Rowing, said: “This result could not have been achieved without the support of our residents, who were determined to prevent this kind of behaviour from happening within their local area. I hope this demonstrates to others across Westminster that coming forward and talking to us about problems such as this can really make a difference.”
