Prison for evicted GCH tenant

Sharon Townsend, a former Gloucester City Homes tenant, who was evicted for anti-social behaviour on 2^nd August, has been sent to prison. The 8-week sentence was handed out for a third breach of her Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction just five days after the possession order for eviction was granted.

On 7 August 2012, it was alleged that she was verbally abusive and threatening towards a witness in the case in the City centre. She was arrested and remanded in custody until a full hearing that took place yesterday. 

Sharon Townsend refused to leave her prison cell to attend the County Court hearing. His Honour Judge Singleton heard the case in her absence and commented: “I have heard evidence today and after listening to all the evidence in her absence I am sure she did shout at the witness and am sure she has breached her injunction order. Bearing in mind the previous breaches of 11/07/12, 31/07/12 and this subsequent proven breach and also bearing in mind my warning to her at court on 02/08/12, I have decided to impose a prison sentence of 8 weeks starting today.” 

He also awarded court costs against her of more than £950.

Sara Taylor, Anti-Social Behaviour Manager for Gloucester City Homes said, “I hope this sends a clear message to those who commit anti-social behaviour just how powerful anti-social behaviour injunction orders can be when they are breached. Even if the person has been evicted from their home as a result of continued nuisance behaviour, most orders prevent the perpetrator from causing any harassment, alarm or distress to anyone in the City. They are put in place primarily to safeguard those that have been most affected by the anti-social behaviour caused by such individuals.

GCH deals with anti-social behaviour for the whole City through Project Solace and I hope that this will reassure any residents' concerns that this problem would transfer to a different area, that action to deal with this person’s anti-social behaviour will continue.”