Council seizes home after homophobic abuse

Birmingham County Court has given the tenant, Richard Leonard, a two-year anti-social behaviour injunction, which bars him from harassing or intimidating local residents and causing damage to their homes and vehicles, after a series of incidents since May 2009.

Once Mr Leonard has given up occupation of the property he is forbidden from entering or remaining in his former residence.

The ruling, which was passed on 9 December, resulted from the work of local housing officers and the police carried out in response to complaints from residents.

Mr Leonard had been both verbally and physically abusive towards residents, particularly one resident who was subject to verbal homophobic rants. He had also caused serious damage to his own home, which had fallen into a significant state of disrepair.

The tenant’s accomplice, Brian Sibley, was given an 18 month ASBI which will bars him from assaulting, verbally abusing, harassing or intimidating residents at Mr Leonard’s former residence.

John Lines, cabinet member for housing, said: ‘I will not tolerate anti-social behaviour of any kind from my tenants and the behaviour of these two was completely unacceptable. Let this be a clear signal to others that I will not hesitate to take swift legal action should the need arise. The safety of my tenants and local community is my priority.’

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