A litany of anti-social behaviour resulted in the eviction of a Wigan man from his council home this morning (Thursday 22nd February).
53 year old Frank McNulty moved into Closebrook Road, Worsley Hall, in January 2006, but his drunken and abusive behaviour quickly made him the scourge of neighbours and passers-by. His regular parties attracted many local youngsters, making the problems even worse.
Wigan & Leigh Housing staff began gathering evidence last August and served Notice of Possession proceedings in October. The case was heard in court last month, but McNulty ignored the 14 day Possession Order handed out and remained at the property until today’s eviction.
Mr McNulty is the first person in the town to be evicted for anti-social behaviour under Wigan & Leigh Housing’s ‘Introductory’ tenancy scheme. Like all new tenants, McNulty was effectively on ‘probation’, meaning he would not be given security of tenure until he had conducted himself satisfactorily for 12 months.
Wigan & Leigh Housing Chief Executive, Ashley Crumbley, explains:
“These introductory tenancies give us more powers to take legal action against people like Mr McNulty whose behaviour is seriously detrimental to other people’s quality of life.
“We don’t like evicting people, but anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and we will use all our powers to continue the transformation of our estates. The vast majority of tenants expect – and deserve – nothing less.”
Wigan & Leigh Housing has evicted more than 80 tenants over the past 12 months and recently supported the police in the high-profile closure of a Wigan ‘crack-house’. But many evictions have also been for rent arrears and Mr Crumbley is anxious that tenants in trouble should seek help as soon as possible. He says:
“We offer a sympathetic ear and expert advice to anyone having trouble making ends meet – if they talk to us early enough. Any tenants who find themselves in this predicament can contact their area office or ring 01942 705040.”
Note to editors
For more information, please contact Carrie Deakin, Senior Tenancy Relations Officer, on 01942 767361.
