A COURT has ordered the closure of a house in Penrith where neighbours have been plagued by antisocial behaviour linked to drugs, criminal damage and dogs.
Cumbria Police made the closure order application for a property in the town’s Eden Mount following a spate of complaints dating back to 2022.
At Carlisle’s Rickergate court, barrister Melanie Foo outlined the police application, summarising the statements of witnesses and police officers about alleged recent antisocial behaviour that has emanated from the house.
She provided the court with an “extensive” chronology of alleged nuisance behaviour and crimes linked to the house, including late night parties that kept neighbours awake and a recent vehicle fire outside the property.
The list of events covers the period from 2022 up until last week. The tenant involved, a woman, was arrested as part on an ongoing investigation of that arson offence, said Miss Foo.
The tenant, she said, had been both “victim and perpetrator.” The windows at the property have been broken on at least six occasions.
The alleged crimes at the property related to drugs, and alcohol misuse. “Local residents who live near the premises and near to [the tenant] Scott are having their lives disrupted on a daily basis,” said the barrister.
They feared repercussions if they speak out publicly.
Referring to the antisocial behaviour incidents, the barrister added: “They include drug use, parties till the early hours of the morning, disruption to children who have been unable to sleep throughout the night, domestic abuse and violence issues at the property, and reports of damage.”
In a statement, who woman who is the tenant said she no longer wishes to live in Penrith. In a letter to the court, she said: “I don’t feel safe; I would like to be in Carlisle so I can start afresh.”
She said she needed help with her mental health and wanted to return to how she was two years ago before she became drug dependent.(Image: Cumbria Police)
Granting the closure order, the lead magistrate said the court had seen evidence of prolonged and extensive antisocial behaviour at the premises.
“It included drug use, and other criminal behaviour – knives, dogs ad damage,” said the magistrate. This had caused “severe detriment” to the local community, which included children.
Eden Housing, the landlord of the property, had made numerous attempts to resolve the situation but without success. The closure order will remain in force for three months and prevents anybody but the property owner or their agents from entering the house.
The tenant, who did not oppose the police application or attend the court hearing, had indicated that she believes she will be able to move into temporary accommodation in Carlisle.
Formal eviction proceedings will be pursued in the coming weeks. The court can make such civil orders if they believe, on the balance or probabilities, that they will prevent disorder or nuisance behaviour.
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