Legal News

A social housing tenant who passed out while frying chicken and nearly burnt down his flat is to be evicted.

Croydon Magistrates Court was told that Dean Spencer was regularly involved in incidents involving antisocial behaviour – and frequently invited street drinkers back to the property for drinking sessions.

Online publisher 24Dash.com reports that neighbours were subjected to noise intrusion from Mr Spencer’s property – and “tirades of abuse” from visitors if they were confronted about their behaviour.

An elderly wheelchair user aged 83 told the court how she had to be taken to hospital to be resuscitated on two occasions, as a result of the stress of antisocial behaviour coming from Mr Spencer’s property in the block.

Another neighbour described activities at Mr Spencer’s home as “bedlam” and had suffered from sleeplessness he described as “purgatory” as a result of noise and antisocial behaviour.

In July, Mr Spencer was frying chicken while drunk and passed out while the chicken was still cooking, causing a serious fire at the property.

Mr Spencer’s home is now the subject of a closure order – meaning no one can enter the property for the next three months.

The flat is likely to be repossessed by the council during that time and Mr Spencer faces eviction.

Councillor Mark Watson – the Cabinet Member for Safety and Justice – praised the witnesses who had come forward to testify against Mr Spencer.

“Dean Spencer’s neighbours have been through hell,” Cllr Watson said.

“The suffering they had to put up with was completely unacceptable – and nobody should have to tolerate this kind of behaviour.”

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis housing solicitors can advise social housing tenants on a wide range of issues – including Local Authority housing matters, housing possession, Landlord & Tenant disputes, disrepair of rental property, unlawful eviction and antisocial behaviour from neighbours.

Duncan Lewis is also one of the UK’s largest providers of Legal Aid services.

For expert legal advice on public sector housing matters, call Duncan Lewis housing solicitors on 020 7923 4020.