Woman, 87, told to curb lifestyle

An 87-year-old woman escaped eviction from her council-run property after agreeing to curb her party lifestyle.

Betty Rosamunde Lewis-Kite let people congregate "day and night" at her sheltered housing property in Beverley, East Yorks, Grimsby Crown Court heard.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council was seeking to remove her from the home.

On Thursday, Recorder Henry Prosser allowed her to stay on condition she improved her behaviour. A possession order was suspended for two years.

They [residents] are entitled to expect peace and security in sheltered housing accommodation Recorder Henry Prosser

The court was told that known-criminals would drink, take drugs, shout and generally upset residents in the complex.

Mrs Lewis-Kite did not cooperate with the police or council and was herself involved in heavy drinking sessions, the court heard.

Her front room was described as a saloon bar rather than a front room of a sheltered housing flat.

In his written judgment Mr Prosser said: "These neighbours have been distressed and traumatised by this anti-social behaviour.

Distressed neighbours

"Each one is too scared of possible acts of revenge by the defendant's visitors to come to court to describe his or her experiences.

"If these acts continue, the neighbours will continue to be distressed and traumatised.

"They [residents] are entitled to expect peace and security in sheltered housing accommodation."

Mrs Lewis-Kite's barrister, Miss Sarah Greenan, said her client accepted the conditions and signed the document.

She added: "Mrs Lewis-Kite believes she has lived more peacefully with her neighbours in the last few months and hopes to continue living peacefully with her neighbours in the following months."

East Riding of Yorkshire Council said it was faced with no other alternative but to take this action to resolve the problem for all its tenants in the area.

A spokesman said: "The council welcomes the order granted to it by the court and will in the forthcoming months monitor her compliance with it."

Further incidents could lead to her evicition, he added.