A flat has been closed down after neighbours were subjected to months of abuse and antisocial behaviour, a court has ordered.

A rented flat at Helmsley House in Guisborough is to be closed for three months after Teesside Magistrates Court heard reports of more than 30 incidents of antisocial behaviour - including theft, shouting abuse, begging, assaults and violence towards other residents.

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Incidents involving the tenant were recorded from June last year to May this year and included fighting with a disabled person in the street, stealing kitchen knives from a property and trying to sell stolen goods around the flats.

The court was also told that vulnerable residents of Helmsley House had been left feeling intimidated. The tenant in the property had received multiple warnings from Cleveland Police, landlords and the Local Authority which had been ignored.

The application to the court was made by Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council with the support of Cleveland Police and the landlord after months of evidence gathering by anti-social behaviour officers and police.

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Following the case, Cllr Adam Brook, Cabinet member for Neighbourhoods and Housing, said: “This behaviour can cause real misery and it will not be tolerated. I’d like to thank everyone involved in doing what it took to ensure the residents of this area are protected.”

Inspector Neil Deluce said: “This is a fantastic example of great partnership work between the force, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and Beyond Housing and this work will continue to ensure we’re improving the quality of life for our residents.

“We hope this closure order serves as a warning to those who cause misery in our neighbourhoods that we will take action and you could lose your home as a result.”