OVERJOYED neighbours are celebrating after police enforced County Durham’s first indefinite Asbo against a 23-year-old woman.
Families terrorised for nearly two years by Zara Jane Hawkins last night spoke of their relief and joy after she was evicted from her home.
Durham Police said the 23-yearold smashed windows, verbally abused residents, held all-night parties and started fires in her back yard, some of which lasted for days.
She moved to Albert Street, Crook, from Sunnybrow, near Willington, where she had been handed a two-year Anti-Social Behaviour Order (Asbo) in 2006 after a string of complaints, including vandalism and harassment.
Then Hawkins was made subject to the area’s first indefinite Asbo in November when south Durham magistrates banned her from:
● Intimidating, threatening or abusing anyone;
● Causing nuisance to others by shouting, swearing, abuse, drunkenness or playing music from in or around her home;
● Setting fires in or around her home;
● Supplying alcohol;
● Drinking alcohol in public places;
● Throwing objects at homes;
● Encouraging others to commit any act included in the Asbo.
Housing company Places For People then served Hawkins with an eviction notice after she damaged the property.
It is not known where Hawkins now lives but police believe she is staying with friends.
A retired neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: “She has been absolutely unbelievable – the noise and the music and the shouting and the swearing.
“You just don’t go on the way she has. I’m over the moon she has gone.”
Another elderly resident said: “Thank god. We are all very pleased and are looking forward to getting back to normal.
“The police have never been away from here. She has been warned. She was the neighbour from hell.”
Other neighbours said Hawkins and her friends threw bottles, kicked at their doors and made hoax calls.
PC Billy Crampsie, who led the Asbo investigation, said: “She has shown no remorse or sympathy to the people who have suffered, and both residents and the organisations involved are thrilled with this result.
“I feel this is a true example of how the police and community can work together to make a positive difference to people’s lives.”
“The situation is that is she can apply to have it lifted after a reasonable period of time, if she can prove that she can behave herself, which is what everyone wants at the end of the day.”
Paul Gallagher, community safety manager at Places for People, organised her eviction.
He said: “By working closely with other residents and Durham Police, we have successfully secured her eviction.”
If Hawkins breaches the Asbo, in force until further notice, it will be treated as a criminal offence.
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