A court has ordered the closure of a house after months of antisocial behaviour, including rampant drug use and gangs brandishing weapons, tormented neighbours. 

Teesside Magistrates Court agreed on Wednesday, May 31 to close the property in Yeoman Terrace in Marske after hearing complaints going back nearly 18 months.

Neighbours on Yeoman Terrace were subjected to months of anti-social behaviour -  including drug use and gangs brandishing knives and machetes in the street.

The property will be closed for three months.

Read more: House in Normanby, Redcar & Cleveland, closed down after 79 incidents

The Northern Echo: Police putting the order on the door. Police putting the order on the door. (Image: Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council)

Statements from neighbours told of their fear of incidents involving the male occupant. Some said they had become frightened to leave their own home and that the situation had affected their mental and physical health.

The application for the Closure Order was brought by Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council (R&CBC) with the support of Cleveland Police after months of evidence gathering.

The court was told that council anti-social behaviour officers were first alerted to complaints at the Marske address in January 2022.

Incidents at the Marske property included threatening and intimidating behaviour, alleged drug dealing and the consumption of drugs on the property.

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The Northern Echo: The house in question. The house in question. (Image: Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council)

The most recent incident involved a gang of males brandishing a knife and attempting to kick the door down. Several warnings were made to the occupant by the Council and Cleveland Police, but they made little impact on occupants. 

Residents describe how they lived in constant fear of something happening to them, their family and friends of their neighbours.

One neighbour said: “It is a very stressful way of living, it was a lovely street and it is unfair that we should have to live like this”.

Another added: “I may sound dramatic, but I am literally scared wondering what is going to happen next”. 

Following the Court Order, Councillor Adam Brook, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Housing, said: “Law-abiding, decent people deserve to live in peace without fear in their own home and street.

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“Our dedicated officers working closely with colleagues in Cleveland Police will continue to do what it takes to protect them. A decision to apply for a Closure Order is never taken lightly but, at the same time, we won’t hesitate to do so to protect the public.”

Cleveland Police Acting Sergeant, Andy Bennett, said: “I hope this closure order reassures residents that we will listen to their concerns and take action against those causing misery in their community.

“This is a fantastic example of great partnership work between the force and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and I’d like to thank all our colleagues who played a part in this closure order. Anyone wishing to report a crime or antisocial behaviour is asked to call us on 101, or contact Crimestoppers either online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.”