A Purley man has been kicked out of his home following allegations his visitors would drink heavily and take illegal drugs.
L&Q housing association tenant Alain Pokok-Makizembe was living at a flat in Pheasant Close, but after concerns were raised by his neighbours that his presence had made their lives unsafe, an application by Croydon Council's antisocial behaviour team was made to Camberwell Magistrates’ Court to close the home.
On March 26, that application was granted and a three-month closure order was placed on the flat.
#Purley SNT in conjunction with Croydon Council & L&Q Housing gained a Closure Order on a property causing ASB problems for residents, at Camberwell Court. We visited today to check the flat was secure. pic.twitter.com/6cmn1ocPhx
— Purley Police (@MPSPurley) March 27, 2018
Council's director of safety, Andy Opie was pleased by the decision.
"Residents have had to put up with continued anti-social behaviour that was having a serious impact on their quality of life," he said.
“We will always prosecute tenants who act with such blatant disregard for their neighbours.”
During the hearing the neighbours said they lived in fear of their safety due to the number of visitors attending the premises, allegedly drinking heavily and taking illegal drugs.
In response to the allegation of drug use in the premises, Pokok-Makizembe said he should not be held responsible for the behaviour of others, as he was not aware of the drug use.
He was reminded that, as the tenant, he was responsible for his own behaviour and that of visitors to his property.
L&Q is now seeking possession of the property through the County Court.
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