And Stay Out!

A man who subjected housing estates in Wigan to a reign of terror has been banned from them for the next 20 years.

Magistrates in Wigan heard that 39-year-old Brian Sheridan terrorised communities in Shevington, Beech Hill, Marsh Green, Worsley Hall and Pemberton through his reputation for violence. His criminal behaviour has included wounding, making threats to kill, harassment and intimidation, possession of offensive weapons, arson and vehicle crime.

Officers from Wigan & Leigh Housing (WALH) joined forces with officers from Greater Manchester Police to take action against Sheridan after he threatened to kill a tenant and family.

The order is believed to be one of the longest of its kind imposed by magistrates in the borough.

Sheridan, of no fixed abode, was first given a temporary, nine-month injunction by Liverpool County Court for harassment and threatening behaviour.

At the Wigan hearing, the bench said it was satisfied that there was 'overwhelming' evidence to support the order being granted in full. Magistrates commented on the seriousness of Sheridan's behaviour saying the order was needed to protect residents.

Sheridan, who also uses the name Christopher Jolley, failed to attend for the Wigan hearing and the order was granted in his absence.

It prevents him from:

• Engaging in conduct causing or likely to cause nuisance, harassment or annoyance to any person in the Borough of Wigan.
• Inciting or encouraging any persons to behave in a manner which causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to any persons in the Borough of Wigan.
• Engaging in conduct likely to place any person in fear of their safety or property in the Borough of Wigan.
• Unlawfully possessing any item.
• Entering parts of the borough (including Shevington, Beech Hill, Marsh Green, Worsley Hall and Pemberton).
• Using threatening, abusive or insulting words in public towards any person in the borough.
• Entering Wigan & Leigh Housing Company Ltd's offices in the borough without a prior appointment.

The 20-year term of the order was imposed solely by the magistrates who believed it to be an appropriate length of time.

A spokesman for WALH said: "This order is one of the longest we have imposed so far and it sends a clear message to those intent on causing this kind of havoc in our communities that it will not be tolerated.

"No-one in our borough should be forced to live in fear and this order tells people that we will do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to protect our communities.

"This success is due to a partnership between our Tenancy Relations Team and Greater Manchester Police and everyone involved should be congratulated for the positive outcome."

The message from WALH is you don't have to suffer in silence. If you are experiencing similar problems then contact 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 WALH'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.

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