Council and democracy

Drugs den tenant faces eviction

The council was disappointed that it was not able to evict Linda Massey, 57, and reclaim its property in Bramley Hill following a Croydon County Court hearing on Thursday 29 May.

Instead the judge handed out a suspended possession order. Under the terms of the ruling the council will be able to evict Mrs Massey if she breaks the conditions of the order, including failure to comply with conditions of tenancy, in the next two years.

The court was told how the council and police were granted a three-month closure order by Magistrates to shut down the drugs den in February following an intelligence-led raid at the property.

Class A drugs and drugs paraphernalia were seized and the flat was sealed off.

Neighbours had reported drug dealing and a catalogue of antisocial behaviour emanating from the property. This included the door bell being rung through the night, open dealing in and around the block, verbal abuse, fighting, shouting, excess alcohol consumption and drug takers wandering around the communal stairs and floors.

Many of the elderly residents were distressed and frightened by the behaviour of the tenant, her family and visitors to the flat.

Cllr Dudley Mead, deputy leader and cabinet member for housing, said: "We have zero tolerance towards drug dealing or any form of illegal activity taking place in our properties and we will always take the strongest form of action against the perpetrators.

"We are disappointed that the court will not allow us to immediately evict this tenant who so blatantly breached her tenancy conditions. However, this does not mean the tenant has got off scot free - if she is found to break the law or breach her tenancy conditions again she will automatically lose her home."