GCH evicts Westgate tenant for ASB

Gloucester City Homes (GCH) has obtained possession of a property in Mount Street because the tenant Sharon Townsend refused to stop her anti-social behaviour.

Sharon Townsend, her ex-partner Gary Barnaby and her visitors, terrorised neighbours and the local community over a 12-month period with persistent anti-social outbursts including threats of violence, abusive drunken behaviour and verbal abuse.  Residents’ lives were blighted by her ongoing violent behaviour and the continual Police presence in Mount Street.

GCH in partnership with the brave residents of Mount Street, Gloucester City Council and the Local Policing Area took action against Sharon Townsend and Gary Barnaby by obtaining Anti-Social Behaviour Injunctions against them earlier in the year. These orders were a final chance for Sharon Townsend to engage in support, change her behaviour and manage her tenancy. Both Orders were breached resulting in custodial prison sentences for both Sharon Townsend and Gary Barnaby.

Following continued incidents, GCH was awarded outright, immediate possession of the property on 2^nd August. To further protect residents and prevent Sharon Townsend from living in the area in future, the Injunction Order was extended until May 2014 with a total exclusion from the Westgate area. 

His Honour District Judge Singleton said: “Despite there being an agreement made by the Defendant (Sharon Townsend) to accept the requests of the Claimant, having read the papers I am satisfied that it is both reasonable and proportionate that a possession order with no suspension should be made.”

One witness in the case said: “It’s a fantastic result. Neil Duffy from GCH and PC Mark Mansfield from the City Centre Local Policing team have worked so well with us. People feel safe now and we don’t have to constantly keep looking over our shoulders anymore.”

The eviction closely follows the repossession of a home in Kingsholm due to anti-social behaviour in July.

GCH Chief Executive Ashley Green commented: “I am delighted that we have taken this action against someone who clearly has no respect for other people and who has shown such levels of anti-social behaviour in one of our communities. I am pleased the residents of Mount Street can now enjoy a better quality of life and get some well-deserved respite.

GCH will not tolerate anti-social behaviour, and both these recent cases show that we will take and swift, effective action to resolve it in partnership with the Police and our local communities.”

Inspector Neil Smith, Gloucester Local Policing Area said “This outcome demonstrates the commitment of GCH and Gloucestershire Constabulary in working together to tackle incidents of serious anti-social behaviour and where behaviour cannot be modified take the appropriate enforcement action to protect residents. These residents have endured ongoing abuse and torment from Sharon Townsend and fully deserve respite in their community.”