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Nightmare neighbours who have made life a misery for law-abiding tenants on Tyneside estates have been given their marching orders. Northumbria Police joined forces with housing officials for a series of early morning swoops on homes across North Tyneside. Five nuisance families across North Tyneside have been served with eviction notices while a further 15 received final warnings to clean up their behaviour. Sgt Don Wade, of Forest Hall police station, who led the raids as part of the Safer Estates initiative, said: "This should serve as a warning to anyone who thinks violent and anti-social behaviour is acceptable. "It is time to say enough is enough. Law-abiding residents should not have to put up with this." Margaret Harold (pictured above, left), 48, of Garth 24, Killingworth, was served with an eviction notice following complaints about her and son Derek Ramsey, 30. On January 1 Ramsey is alleged to have bitten off part of a man's ear. He was also arrested for burglary on January 14 and February 22. On February 25 Harold allegedly threatened to slit the throat of another female and burn her house down. The cases are waiting to be heard in court. An eviction order was served on Mandy Draper (pictured above, centre), 33, of Burnside Avenue, Annitsford, after a member of her family was spotted by police smashing a bike against the pavement and shop shutters in Camperdown. The bike was then thrown on to the road, nearly causing a collision. Police also arrested him for handling stolen goods and he was spotted punching and kicking a car near his home. Chris Wray, secretary of the Burradon and Camperdown Forum, said: "This kind of disorder is carried out by a small minority of people but it is affecting many families. "It's mainly the families of these people who are causing such a disturbance but their parents need to realise it is up to them to control them. "The community is very pleased the police and council are working so hard to stamp out this kind of anti-social behaviour." Dawn Emmett, 39, of Garth 24, Killingworth, was served with an eviction notice after son Terrence (pictured above, right), 19, was found to be responsible for scrawling graffiti across Killingworth. Terrence, who uses the tags `verb' and `server', had even used the walls of their council house to practise writing his names. Terrence was convicted and fined for possessing cannabis in May 2004 and convicted of dangerous driving on August 2004. He also faces charges of possession of cannabis following a police raid at the house in January. 
Alan, 47, and Julie Latimer (pictured above, left), 40, face eviction from their home because of the repeated complaints about their son Richard, 18. Richard is currently awaiting trial at Newcastle Crown court over an alleged assault at Cullercoats Metro Station in August 2004. Sgt Wade added: "It tends to be the whole family who suffer for the sake of one member. The Latimers are a lovely couple but they are going to be forced to leave their home because of their son Richard's actions." Helen Brown (pictured above, right), 39, of Moor View, Camperdown, was served an eviction notice because of the behaviour of a member of her family. The family member is currently facing a charge of racially-aggravated assault and is awaiting trial. Safer Estates manager Colin Boxshall said: "Yesterday's action reinforces our determination to rid estates of those who disrupt the quality of life for others. "We are making full use of new powers contained within the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 which includes the use of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and injunctions. "These orders and agreements are continuing to have the desired effect across North Tyneside and sending out a clear message that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated. "We have seen significant drops in crime and disorder and the feedback from people living on these estates has been excellent. "People have the right to live in peace and quiet and we will take whatever action is necessary to protect that right." Three Longbenton tenants also received notification that the council was starting proceedings to recover possession to their homes as a result of them using their properties for drug-related activities. A further 10 were asked to sign Acceptable Behaviour Agreements. In the coming weeks, more than 70 people associated with anti-social behaviour have been summoned to ABA final warning surgeries in Battle Hill, Hadrian Park, Howdon, Wallsend, Whitley Bay, Killingworth and North Shields. |
