Court Action Against Trio

Three Wigan residents whose threatening behaviour left neighbours traumatised are the subject of court injunctions following legal action by Wigan & Leigh Housing.

Paul Edwards of Hill Street, Hindley, is subject to a six month injunction excluding him from flats at Woodcock House, Millgate, Wigan and forbidding him harassing residents or visitors. The injunction also prevents Edwards from using or threatening violence against them.

District Judge Donnelly granted the order at Wigan County Court after hearing how Edwards was physically abusive towards one neighbour, then smashed down the door of another who gave the victim sanctuary. Any breach of the order will lead to arrest and possible imprisonment.

Last week, Wigan & Leigh Housing Company were granted similar injunctions against 39 year old Joyce Collier of Inward Drive, Shevington and Brian Sheridan (aka Christopher Jolley), also aged 39.

At the hearing at Liverpool County Court, Judge Gilmour was told how Collier and Sheridan, who has a long history of violence and intimidation, both made serious threats against a single young mother.

The injunctions against them, which will run until 1st June 2005, prohibited them from:

• Engaging in conduct causing or likely to cause nuisance or annoyance to persons residing in, or visiting 46 Inward Drive, Shevington;
• Entering or attempting to enter 46 Inward Drive, Shevington or the front or the rear gardens, thereof;
• Harassing any such person;
• From using abusive, insulting or threatening behaviour against any such person; and
• Using or threatening violence against any such person.

Again, any breach of the orders will lead to arrest and possible imprisonment.

Wigan Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Cllr Keith Cunliffe says:

“We cannot and will not stand by and watch people suffer at the hands of the likes of Edwards, Collier and Sheridan. We are committed to working with tenants and residents on our estates to tackle anti–social behaviour.”

Residents experiencing similar problems contact either Greater Manchester Police on (0161) 872 5050, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or Wigan Council’s Community Safety Team on (01942) 404021. Council tenants should contact Wigan & Leigh Housing’s Tenancy Relations Team on (01942) 705839 or call into their local area housing office. All calls will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

Note to Editors

For more information, please contact Joanne Goulding, Senior Tenancy Relations Officer on (01942) 705747.