Drunken behaviour leaves tenant in doubt over home

Date published: 25/06/2008

A Radcliffe man who has made his neighbours' lives a total misery with years of torment and drunken behaviour has been left in some doubt as to his future in Chelsea Avenue.

Mark McCann was in court on June 18 to hear how his unacceptable behaviour has put his home and his freedom in jeopardy. Neighbours have been gathering evidence for some years regarding Mr McCann's behaviour and that of his visitors and girlfriends, which has caused harassment, alarm and distress. Bury Magistrates Court heard from witnesses who described persistent loud music, arguing, shouting, fighting, unruly visitors, criminal damage and noisy, aggressive dogs, all connected with 40a Chelsea Avenue.

Often Mr McCann and his guests were heavily under the influence of alcohol and had little or no consideration for the residents of Chelsea Avenue. Neighbours were routinely awoken in the early hours of the morning, and were forced to hear foul and abusive language on a very regular basis. Of particular concern to residents was that young children playing in the street were also forced to witness the drunken antics of McCann and his visitors.

An 18 month Postponed Possession Order was granted along with an 18 month Antisocial Behaviour injunction with a six months power of arrest attached. In effect, this means that should Mr McCann breach his conditions of tenancy, or the terms of the Court Order, he could be arrested, committed to prison and evicted from his property.

Susan Jordan Chief Executive of Six Town Housing said: "Without the courage and determination of the witnesses in this matter, we would have been powerless to tackle as effectively the nuisance presented by McCann, and his behaviour would have continued to disrupt the lives of those living in and around Chelsea Avenue.

Other residents experiencing nuisance behaviour should be reassured by this result, which shows that by continuing to provide diary evidence to STH, positive results can be achieved".

Councillor Sam Cohen Executive Member for Safe, Strong and Confident Communities said: "It is important not to get disheartened by what can sometimes seem like a lengthy process, but stick with it to make sure that perpetrators of antisocial behaviour do not go unpunished and affect the quality of life on your estate".

Six Town Housing is committed to tackling cases of antisocial behaviour and witnesses will be fully supported at every stage. Help and advice is always available, call into Point Blue personally or telephone 0161 686 8000 if you are unfortunate enough to experience nuisance behaviour yourself.