Goodbye and Good Riddance

A year-long nightmare at the hands of an ‘anti-social behaviour addict’ is finally over for a Wigan community.

Andrew Atkinson of Ennerdale Place, Higher Ince, was today (Friday April 23rd) evicted by Wigan & Leigh Housing after causing his neighbours nearly 12 months of misery and breaching his tenancy agreement on several counts.

At Liverpool County Court last month (30th March), Judge Stewart QC heard how Atkinson and his cohorts frequently indulged in heavy, boisterous drinking sessions, characterised by fighting and loud, abusive and threatening behaviour towards other residents. The court noted Atkinson’s failure to maintain the property and gardens to a reasonable standard, and substantial rent arrears.

Atkinson failed to attend the hearing and had not lodged any prior defence to the case put before the court by Wigan & Leigh Housing. An order for full possession of the property was made in his absence.

In a separate action, authorities have taken steps to ensure that Atkinson does not take his behaviour elsewhere in the borough, using new legislative powers to gain a highly restrictive Anti-social Behaviour Order (ASBO) against him. During the next two years, Atkinson must not:

• Enter the Higher Ince estate;
• Act in a manner which causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to any person;
• Use abusive, insulting offensive threatening or intimidating language or behaviour to any person(s) not in the same household as himself;
• Congregate in a public place or a place that the public has access to, in a group of three of more people;
• Consume intoxicating liquor, except within the boundary of residential or licensed premises and with the occupier’s consent;
• Congregate or associate with seven named individuals.

Conditions apply throughout Wigan borough and failure to observe them is a criminal offence punishable by up to five years imprisonment.

Chief Executive of Wigan & Leigh Housing, Peter Gee says:

“ ‘Anti-social behaviour addict’ is an apt description of Atkinson, whose behaviour and attitude towards his neighbours was disgraceful and totally unacceptable. I’d like to thank both the police and the council’s community safety team for their help in bringing this action, and those residents whose determined stand against these individuals was vital. 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 by call into their local area housing office. All calls will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

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