Compton nuisance neighbour evicted

A nuisance neighbour who made life hell for residents of a Wolverhampton suburb has been evicted.

Leon Greenwell frightened neighbours by shouting drunken obscenities, smashing bottles and slamming doors throughout the night at his council flat in Sandy Hollow, Compton.

The 59-year-old has been ordered out after Wolverhampton Homes, which manages the flat, was granted an immediate possession order by a court for anti-social behaviour.

Today neighbours spoke of their relief after "two nightmare years."

Widow Joan Griffin, aged 80, said: "He terrified everyone because he was so unpredictable. He would stand in the hallways or hang out his bedroom window screaming – not at anyone in particular, just in general.

"He would be swearing and slamming doors at all hours. It would wake you up in bed with a start and you wondered what was happening. It's been two nightmare years and I'm just glad it's over."

Resident Ivor Bateman, aged 81, added: "Sometimes there would be nothing for weeks on end and then all of a sudden there would be crashing and smashing about throughout the night. It drove some of the neighbours mad.

"I think he was a danger to himself more than anyone but he was making life unbearable for a lot of people. There were nights they would not get a moment's sleep."

Wolverhampton Homes insisted it had warned Mr Greenwell to change his behaviour on several occasions before carrying out the eviction. Police had also visited him but the anti-social behaviour continued.

The eviction order, which was obtained on December 11 from Dudley Crown Court, was served yesterday after Mr Greenwell continued disturbing tenants.

Michelle Griffiths, estate manager for Wolverhampton Homes, said: "We take anti-social behaviour very seriously. The safety and well-being of our tenants is of utmost important to us and we will do everything in our power to protect them.

"An eviction is the last step in a very long process, so we always look for other ways to try and resolve any issues. In this case, eviction proved to be the only solution."