Saturday 29 September 2007

ASBOs for pair who terrorised vulnerable housing tenants


ASBOs for pair who terrorised vulnerable housing tenants







Patrick O'Donoghue and

Michelle Wright terrorised
vulnerable housing tenant

A man and a woman who terrorised vulnerable housing tenants have been given three-year anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs).

Patrick Joseph (PJ) O'Donoghue, 23, and Michelle Wright, 19, targeted and befriended susceptible housing tenants and proceeded to take over their properties for the purpose of underage sex, drinking, drug taking and parties, North Avon Magistrates' Court heard.

A six-month anti-social behaviour injunction was obtained by Merlin Housing Society against Wright on March 19, which Wright breached on several occasions.

The ASBOs prohibit O'Donoghue and Wright from:

  • Having contact in public, whether being in a group or otherwise associating with each other in the area of Patchway.
  • Entering or attempting to enter the areas of The Parade, Coniston Road, Patchway and Berkley Court, Longney Place, Patchway (Wright only).
  • Entering or attempting to enter the area of Coniston Road, but access is allowed to the Labour Club in Patchway via a designated pathway (O'Donoghue only)
  • Entering the area of Berkley Court, Longney Place, Patchway (Wright only).

Philippa Isbell, from Safer South Gloucestershire's anti-social behaviour team, said: "Following these breaches, we worked closely with the police, Merlin Housing Society and Western Challenge Housing Association to take positive steps to end the systematic intimidation and control exerted by this pair.

"In four separate cases, the victims have asked O'Donoghue and Wright to stop visiting their property and the two have forced entry.

"This had led victims to flee and seek temporary accommodation, causing them untold anxiety, health and housing problems.

"The actions of these individuals have had a devastating effect on the Patchway residents they have victimised and their neighbours.

"I am confident that the ASBOs will protect other potential victims and the wider Patchway community."

Sonia Key, anti-social behaviour manager for Merlin Housing Society, said: "This sort of behaviour ruins lives and communities.

"We want our residents to understand that we will not tolerate it and that we will support them in every way possible to ensure that the perpetrators of anti-social behaviour are brought to justice.

If O'Donoghue or Wright breach their ASBOs, they will be liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment, a fine or both.

Neighbourhood Inspector Simon Ellis, of Avon and Somerset Police, said: "The ASBOs which have been put in place for O'Donoghue and Wright mean they will be deterred from targeting vulnerable Patchway residents and creating intolerable living conditions for them and their neighbours.

"The police and our partners in Safer South Gloucestershire hope the ASBOs will give residents greater peace of mind.

"They can be assured that we will take every step to enforce the orders and to deal effectively with any other offences of this nature."

Please contact the police in confidence on 0845 456 7000 to report any incidents or problems.


http://www.24dash.com/socialhousing/27905.htm

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