Stafford and Rural Homes

October 8, 2007

Stafford County Court has granted an Injunction with a Power of Arrest and Exclusion Order attached, against Matthew Plant, tenant of 116 Hesketh Road, Stafford.

On 11 September, police were notified of an incident where two schoolchildren were injured following a shooting.  Later that day officers saw Mr Plant carrying an air pistol inside his property, and he was arrested for possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear and violence.  He has admitted discharging an unloaded air pistol within his property at around the time the children were shot.

In court, District Judge Rubery found that, due to the serious nature of the incident, the close proximity of the flat to the school and the vulnerable population group involved (school children), an exclusion order would be granted.

The terms of the order are that Matthew Plant is forbidden, whether by himself or by instructing or encouraging any other person from:

1.   Being in possession of a firearm at any time;
2.   Storing or allowing a firearm to be in 116 Hesketh Road, Stafford;
3.   Causing fear or distress to any person or using or threatening violence against any person;
4.   Entering a defined area defined on a map with the order. Mr Plant had until 4pm on Tuesday 25 September 2007 to vacate 116 Hesketh Road, Stafford.

A power of arrest is in force for all provisions of the order.

Karen Armitage, Chief Executive of Stafford and Rural Homes, commented:

“As a responsible landlord, we have a duty of care to our tenants and members of the public. The defendant lived in a flat overlooking Rising Brook High School, and therefore, working with the police, we applied for an injunction and exclusion order immediately to try to protect both children and adults in the area. I am pleased that the court has reinforced this decisive approach and granted an order that reflects the serious nature of the case.”

Further consideration will be given to extending the order on 16 October 2007,

The tenant has the right to appeal.