A FORMER councillor and convicted sex offender has been evicted by the company that manages homes for the council he once served.

East Durham Homes (EDH), which manages council houses in the Easington district, revealed yesterday that one-time Independent councillor Harry Devine, 54, had been ordered to leave his house, in Salters Lane, Wingate.

Devine, who was first elected in 1999, was re-elected on to Easington District Council to represent Wingate in 2003, only weeks before allegations came to light.

He was jailed last year for indecently assaulting a schoolgirl, an offence he had denied.

He was also ordered by the judge at his trial to be the subject of a sexual offences prevention order for five years. Restrictions imposed on him also forbid him returning to Wingate during the period of the order. He was placed on the sex offenders register for ten years and was later banned from working with children.

News of his eviction came yesterday when EDH announced it had "successfully removed'' Devine from his Wingate home "due to breaching the terms of his tenancy agreement".

EDH began proceedings against him last May on the grounds that he had committed an arrestable offence in the locality of the house and for having substantial rent arrears.

Possession of the house was granted by Durham magistrates in December, when Devine was also ordered to pay arrears of more than £1,000.

He lodged several appeals and the case was referred to Newcastle Law Courts which found in favour of EDH on January 18.

Peter Chaffer, EDH director of community and housing services, said yesterday: "By taking this action we have shown that we will not tolerate anti-social behaviour from tenants.''