A  COUPLE have been thrown out of their home after repeated calls to the police about drunkenness, fighting and loud music.

Officers say the “chaotic” lifestyle of Rebecca Gascoigne, 28, and 34-year-old Gareth Ross left elderly residents in Sacriston, near Chester-le-Street "living in fear within their own four walls".

Magistrates granted a Closure Order on the Holly Crescent home which has now been boarded up.

A police spokesman said: “The anti-social behaviour associated with the premises and of Gascoigne and Ross has been of cause for concern in the community and to local police.

“There have been repeated calls with regards to loud music, fighting, drunkenness and people coming and going from the address at all times of day and night.

“Police have been working with partner agencies to try to resolve this problem, but unfortunately Gascoigne and Ross have been unwilling to engage with agencies or in any way correct their chaotic lifestyle”.

After a short and uncontested hearing at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court, Durham Constabulary legal team were granted a Closure Order under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Police Act 2014 to take control of the premises and close it down.

On Friday afternoon, officers served the order and Gascoigne and Ross were ordered to leave the premises which was sealed up.

Sergeant Mick Richardson, from Pelton Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Unfortunately, some residents in our community are leading chaotic and dysfunctional lifestyles at the expense of other residents.

“This couple and their associates have engaged in activities that have had elderly and vulnerable residents living in fear within their own four walls. This is wholly unacceptable.

“Durham Constabulary is totally committed to supporting residents in having a quality of life and these new powers allow the police and local authority to act quickly when residents give us the evidence we need.

“We will always try to divert people away from this outcome, but in this case the tenants refused to work with agencies that could assist them and failed to heed the police warnings and those of their landlord with regards their conduct.

“Tonight residents adjacent to and around this address can sleep sound knowing they will not be disturbed by this couple.”

Anyone experiencing problems with anti-social behaviour from neighbours which is adversely affecting their life can contact Durham Constabulary on 101.