Published on 7th November 2012

Residents relieved as ASB offender is jailed thanks to their bravery

A community in Cheltenham can look forward to a safer, happier place to live thanks to the courage of their neighbours and the work of officers from Cheltenham Borough Homes (CBH) who worked tirelessly to make sure that a persistent ASB offender was brought to justice.

On 1st November CBH tenant Elizabeth Angelo was handed a 28 day prison sentence at Gloucester Crown Court by District Judge Singleton. The prison sentence was granted following breaches to her existing anti-social behaviour injunction, initially granted in August 2011, and followed on from a 28 day suspended sentence in April 2012.

This was the 12th reported breach of the order in six months, and her first stay in prison as a result.

Ms Angelo of Winchcombe Street continually disturbed her neighbours with arguments and noise, often late at night and in the early hours of the morning, and had previously been banned from visiting a sheltered housing scheme in the area.

Ms Angelo was due to appear at Gloucester County Court on 2nd October but the case was adjourned as she failed to appear at Court. At the later hearing, she admitted many of the allegations, her defence being that she was an alcoholic with no memory of the incidents.  

CBH Safer Estates Team Manager, Paul Tuckey said: “This was a difficult case and we tried our very best to support Ms Angelo to turn her life around however in this instance in order to protect the victims of her ASB behaviour we were left with no choice but to take legal action. ASB victims should not be continually subjected to such behaviour, and we would encourage anyone living in our communities to come forward and report the culprits. We will continue to work with residents to protect those affected under the terms of the injunction and beyond, if necessary, whilst encouraging Ms Angelo to seek the support to change her behaviour permanently.”

Supporting the case were a number of residents who had the courage and perseverance to speak out and stand up against the behaviour. CBH said that without this vital support they would not have been able to take this preventative action.

Anti-social behaviour can be reported in person at the CBH area offices based in Oakley and Coronation Square , by calling free-phone number 0800 408 0000 or online at www.cheltborohomes.org. All contact will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

 

Notes for editors

Cheltenham Borough Homes:

  • CBH is one of the top rated ALMOs (Arms Length Management Organisations) in the country. ALMOs are not for profit companies that run social housing services for their local council
  • Currently CBH manage and maintain around 5,000 tenant and leasehold properties with an overall satisfaction level of 85%, placing them in the top ten ALMOs nationally 
  • The organisation’s approach to community development and participation; governance and equality and diversity has been recognised as good practice nationally
  • CBH continue to develop excellent services by working closely with customers.  It will include building new homes and continuing to regenerate communities whilst tackling issues of worklessness and addressing social enterprise

For further information visit: http://www.cheltborohomes.org/

Press contact: Catherine Best e: [email protected] t: 01242 775317