A FAMILY of six was moving out of their rented home last night after a council issued its first residential closure order.

Mother-of-seven Sarah Gibson, and the five children who live with her, were being rehoused by Durham County Council, after the order was imposed by District Judge Kristine Harrison.

It followed complaints of nuisance and disorder in and around the house, in Quin Square, South Hetton, County Durham, since she took up the tenancy last May.

They include incidents of visiting youths drinking heavily at the house.

The complaints led to Durham Police recently serving an interim premises closure order, the first use of new anti-social behaviour legislation in the county since it was introduced in December.

Ms Gibson challenged the application for the full order during a two-day hearing at Durham Civil and Family Justice Centre.

She refuted many allegations and claimed some problems in the area arose from other addresses.

But, District Judge Harrison said: “It seems to me the incidents referred to are persistent and are certainly a nuisance.

“It appears they are serious if members of the public feel so intimidated or frightened they can’t leave their homes.”

Judge Harrison said other measures could have been explored, but offers of assistance from local beat officer PC Jonathan Keenan were spurned.

The judge said: “I do find such an order necessary. She didn’t cease her activities until forced to move.

“She continued her actions even after the closure note was fixed.

“Therefore, I’ll make a closure order for the maximum period of three months to provide respite for residents living in the square, and I hope the authorities can work with her.”

After the hearing, Ms Gibson and her solicitor, Bill Davison, made no comment.

Sergeant Lyn Peart, of Durham Police, described the decision as “a victory for all right-thinking people in our communities”.

Inspector Vince Addison said: “We’ll continue to work with Ms Gibson to try to influence her behaviour so she becomes a more responsible member of the community, so she can be re-integrated.

“The measure we’ve taken is a last resort when all other methods of persuasion and law enforcement failed.”

Durham Police can seek a three-month extension when the order expires, on July 7.