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Pipe down or you’re out!

Emma Gill
26/ 6/2008

TWO noisy neighbours will be evicted from their homes if they carry on their bad behaviour.

The pair appeared before Bury magistrates in separate hearings last week and were warned to pipe down or face the consequences.

Six Town Housing applied to the court for possession orders of the two homes following numerous complaints.

The first case involved Whitefield mum-of-two Kelly McGeever, 28, of Coniston Avenue.

She appeared at Bury Magistrates’ Court on June 16 accused of noisy and abusive behaviour dating back over 14 months.

Evidence provided by witnesses, the police and officers of Six Town Housing included allegations of causing noise nuisance by arguing, shouting, screaming, door slamming, shouting inside and outside the property, drunken and intimidating behaviour towards residents and fighting in and around the property.

Miss McGeever admitted to the allegations on the first day of the trial.

As a result of the admissions, she agreed to a possession order, which was postponed for 18 months. If similar offences occur during that period, Miss McGeever and her two young children could be evicted from their home.

Susan Jordan, chief executive from Six Town Housing, said: "People have a right to live peacefully in their homes and not to feel intimidated or subjected to threatening behaviour by an anti-social minority. We hope that this possession order will allow Miss McGeever and her family to adjust their behaviour to save themselves from eviction".

The second case - on June 18 - was taken against Paul Helliwell, 43, of Coronation Walk, Radcliffe.

Complaints focused on him playing loud noise, failing to keep his property tidy and failing to allow access to inspect the property - all of which he admitted in court.

He also failed to cooperate with other tenants by keeping the communal areas clean, tidy and free from obstruction.

Despite the help of Six Town Housing, which included numerous visits, letters and offers of support, Helliwell failed to amend his behaviour or allow access to his property.

Helliwell agreed to the possession order, which was postponed for 18 months.

Councillor Dorothy Gunther, executive member for transport and environment, said: "It is such a shame that a minority of people make life so unbearable for people living around them.

"It is right to be proud of your home and the surrounding area and it is unfair to neighbours to show total disregard for communal areas. I am delighted that Six Town Housing continues to take action against tenants who cannot comply with simple rules."