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Nuisance neighbour issued injunction (NCC release and Notts police release)

An antisocial resident, who threw his belongings from the thirteenth floor of a block of flats, has been issued with an injunction.

On 23 July 2010 Nottingham County Court issued Christopher Platts, 24, of Digby Court, Park Street, Lenton with an injunction forbidding him from engaging in further antisocial behaviour.

Having only moved into the property on 14 December 2009, Platts is an introductory tenant of a flat on the thirteenth floor of the 16-floor high-rise building, owned by the city council and managed by Nottingham City Homes.

On 18 June 2010 at approximately 8.20pm, Community Protection's CCTV control room received complaints from Digby Court residents stating that tins of paint were being thrown from the thirteenth floor and they were landing on the rear car park.

As a result of the telephone calls from neighbours, the CCTV control room positioned one CCTV camera to monitor the back of the Digby Court building.

Over the course of an hour more items were thrown from the window of the flat including a hi fi stereo, swivel chair and hoover.

The noise Platts made was heard from at least the 8th floor of the building and was described by residents as sounding like 'a-bomb exploding'. A caretaker of Digby Court also said: 'Lucky that it didn't happen in the daytime because somebody could have been killed'.

One car was damaged from the paint that was thrown from the window. The Nottingham City Homes (NCH) caretaking team at Digby Court worked tirelessly to clean up the mess that was left, following this crime. The total cost of cleaning up the mess in the car park amounted to £280.

Richard Antcliff, Head of Neighbourhood Enforcement said:

This resident's conduct amounts to a serious breach of his tenancy agreement and in doing so has put residents, visitors and staff within Digby Court at serious risk.

Some residents are now nervous and frightened to park outside Digby Court or walk around the building in case more items are thrown.

In cases like this, not only does the local community suffer from this person's actions but taxpayers also have to pay to clean up the mess left behind. Residents who abuse their tenancy agreement like this have a hugely negative impact on their neighbours.

It is now important having put some injunctive relief in place that we have robust follow up action and consider if it is proportionate to evict this tenant. The city's housing stock is a precious commodity and we will now be having a discussion with Nottingham City Homes to review the tenancy.

The injunction forbids Christopher Platts from threatening to engage or engaging in conduct that is likely to cause a nuisance or annoyance to any person residing in, visiting or otherwise engaging in lawful activity in the locality of Digby Court. Platts is also forbidden from playing music loud enough to cause annoyance and throwing anything from the windows or balcony.

Platts has now been served with a notice of intention to seek possession of the flat.

Gill Moy, Director of Housing Services, said:

Our housing team has also been committed to working alongside our colleagues at the council and the police to make sure the perpetrator of this crime was identified. We are seeking to take action to recover possession of Mr Platts' property following this incident. Not only did this cause serious damage, but it could have caused severe injury had a resident or member of staff been in the vicinity at the time.

We take a tough stance against antisocial behaviour and we will take action against those who commit offences like this. I hope this case is a message to others who may consider such offences, that we are watching and will do everything in our power to see justice is served.

I also have to commend our caretaking team at Digby Court. They dealt with clearing and cleaning up this area professionally and efficiently.

To report anti-social behaviour in your area, ring the confidential anti-social behaviour helpline, available 24 hours a day for Nottingham City residents on 0115 9152020, email asbhelp@nottinghamcity.gov.uk or visit www.protectnottingham.co.uk

(Friday 6 August 09:00:00 GMT)

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