jrobertson
18-03-09, 07:25 AM
www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk (http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/) - this is hull and east riding.co.uk - 18-Mar-09
Family from hell evicted (http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/news/Family-hell-evicted/article-777416-detail/article.html)
A FAMILY of 10 who caused at least £30,000 of damage to their council house and made their neighbours' lives hell has been evicted.
Hazel and Brian Smith, and their eight children, caused three-and-a-half years of heartache for neighbours.
Complaints date back to September 2005 – just a month after they moved into the house in Easethorpe, Orchard Park.
A mountain of evidence was stacked against the family, including arson, breaches to their council tenancy agreement, criminal damage, theft and abusive behaviour.
It is also claimed members of the family trespassed in gardens, hurled glass bottles from roof tops, smashed car windows, rode illegal motorbikes and victimised residents.
Relieved neighbours watched last night as Hull City Council contractors cleared out debris and began re-decorating the house.
One contractor sent to decorate the three-storey property, off Hall Road, told the Mail the repair bill could even top £50,000.
Neighbour Robert Claxton, 45, said: "I am relieved they've gone. The majority of people around here
will be glad. We were having to keep looking at our gardens to see if anything had been stolen.
"The street is certainly a lot quieter now."
Two of the Smith children have been subject to asbos (anti-social behaviour orders).
In September last year, Jordon, then aged 13 and Macauley, then aged 11, were given two-year asbos.
The brothers caused nuisance for two years by riding on stripped-down motorbikes, being verbally abusive and using threatening behaviour. They also damaged and stole property.
Before the asbos were issued, about 25 residents contacted the council and police to submit evidence.
Justine Mortimer, the council's anti-social behaviour manager, said: "It is disappointing that despite numerous attempts to work with the family they were not willing to make improvements to their behaviour.
"It left the council with no other choice, but to apply for an eviction notice."
Hull City Council, Humberside Police and about 15 partners worked with the family to try to resolve the anti-social behaviour. The Smiths were offered parenting classes by the Family Intervention Project.
Several of the children were signed up to acceptable behaviour contracts, which were breached almost immediately.
Janella Brown, northern area anti-social behaviour officer, applauded residents for cataloguing their problems with the family.
He said: "We would like to thank the residents who have worked with the council and Humberside Police since 2005 – their evidence helped make a difference.
"It is hoped this will serve as a warning to other people who choose to behave anti-socially. This conduct will not be tolerated and action will be taken against them."
Should the Smiths ever return to Hull, the council said it is "under no obligation" to rehouse them.
Read more (http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/news/Family-hell-evicted/article-777416-detail/article.html)
Family from hell evicted (http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/news/Family-hell-evicted/article-777416-detail/article.html)
A FAMILY of 10 who caused at least £30,000 of damage to their council house and made their neighbours' lives hell has been evicted.
Hazel and Brian Smith, and their eight children, caused three-and-a-half years of heartache for neighbours.
Complaints date back to September 2005 – just a month after they moved into the house in Easethorpe, Orchard Park.
A mountain of evidence was stacked against the family, including arson, breaches to their council tenancy agreement, criminal damage, theft and abusive behaviour.
It is also claimed members of the family trespassed in gardens, hurled glass bottles from roof tops, smashed car windows, rode illegal motorbikes and victimised residents.
Relieved neighbours watched last night as Hull City Council contractors cleared out debris and began re-decorating the house.
One contractor sent to decorate the three-storey property, off Hall Road, told the Mail the repair bill could even top £50,000.
Neighbour Robert Claxton, 45, said: "I am relieved they've gone. The majority of people around here
will be glad. We were having to keep looking at our gardens to see if anything had been stolen.
"The street is certainly a lot quieter now."
Two of the Smith children have been subject to asbos (anti-social behaviour orders).
In September last year, Jordon, then aged 13 and Macauley, then aged 11, were given two-year asbos.
The brothers caused nuisance for two years by riding on stripped-down motorbikes, being verbally abusive and using threatening behaviour. They also damaged and stole property.
Before the asbos were issued, about 25 residents contacted the council and police to submit evidence.
Justine Mortimer, the council's anti-social behaviour manager, said: "It is disappointing that despite numerous attempts to work with the family they were not willing to make improvements to their behaviour.
"It left the council with no other choice, but to apply for an eviction notice."
Hull City Council, Humberside Police and about 15 partners worked with the family to try to resolve the anti-social behaviour. The Smiths were offered parenting classes by the Family Intervention Project.
Several of the children were signed up to acceptable behaviour contracts, which were breached almost immediately.
Janella Brown, northern area anti-social behaviour officer, applauded residents for cataloguing their problems with the family.
He said: "We would like to thank the residents who have worked with the council and Humberside Police since 2005 – their evidence helped make a difference.
"It is hoped this will serve as a warning to other people who choose to behave anti-socially. This conduct will not be tolerated and action will be taken against them."
Should the Smiths ever return to Hull, the council said it is "under no obligation" to rehouse them.
Read more (http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/news/Family-hell-evicted/article-777416-detail/article.html)