Council and democracy

Antisocial Neighbour Evicted

Couldson resident Vanda Smith's drunken antics and alcohol-fuelled arguments with her partner forced her neighbours to barricade themselves in their block of flats to prevent her from gaining access.

Now, after failing to curb her conduct, she must leave her Gilbert Court council home after a court ruled she should be evicted.

Croydon County Court heard that from the start of her tenancy, Ms Smith, 49, had displayed threatening, drunken behaviour towards her neighbours, played loud music at all times of the day and night and conducted loud screaming matches with her boyfriend.

Some residents blocked the communal landing to their flats and wedged a walking stick through the handles of the communal door to prevent her from gaining access to their part of the block.

As the judge awarded Croydon Council an outright possession order against Ms Smith and a 12-month injunction with power of arrest, he noted that she must have made other residents' lives a "living hell". The court also awarded costs of £4,400.

Cllr Dudley Mead, deputy leader and cabinet member for housing, said: "We take a tough line with any tenant involved in antisocial behaviour. Everyone has a right to live peacefully and those who abuse that right can expect to be dealt with swiftly."