Stafford and Rural Homes

April 24, 2008

David Plant of 51 North Walls Stafford was jailed for 6 months and evicted from his home when found guilty of breaching a previous anti-social behaviour injunction. This follows 2 previous custodial sentences for breaching the same injunction during 2007 Plant appeared before Stafford County Court on 15 April 2008 following an alleged incident on Sunday 13 April 2008. He was remanded at HMP Birmingham and ordered to appear before Telford County Court on Friday 18 April 2008.  The anti social behaviour matter could then be heard alongside proceedings for possession of his tenancy. due to be heard the same day. The defendant chose to represent himself in court

At Telford County Court on the 18 April 2008 His Honor Judge Rubery said:
This defendant has been before the Courts before for his behaviour. In January 2007 the claimant Stafford and Rural Homes was in receipt of a number of complaints regarding the defendant’s behaviour involving alleged verbal abuse and threats to kill. An Anti Social Behaviour Injunction was granted to run until 12 February 2009. Not three weeks later the defendant was found guilty of breaching the Injunction Order, and was sentenced to two months imprisonment. Further Breaches of the Order were proven on 31st August 2007 and the defendant was sentenced to 28 days imprisonment.

Witnesses have been very clear in their evidence and described how the defendant’s behaviour had affected the lives of their families

Referring to the incident on the 13 April 2008 Judge Rubery “I am satisfied that on the evidence brought before the court that this is your third breach. I therefore sentence you to 6 months imprisonment”.

The possession of his tenancy was also heard.
“The defendant has been given every conceivable opportunity to curtail his behaviour, the claimant has held meetings with him, and the Injunction Order and even the prison sentences that have been served by the defendant have not acted as a deterrent. In conclusion I make an outright order for Possession of 51 North Walls, Stafford. I also make an award of costs to Stafford and Rural Homes for £4844.59 for the Possession proceedings and £1088.00 for the Committal proceedings.

Karen Armitage Chief Executive of Stafford and Rural Homes said “This is another example of how we react decisively to protect our tenants from unacceptable behaviour. I would encourage our tenants to work with us and help us to rid our estates of anti-social behaviour”