Anti-social behaviour injunctions protect vulnerable residents from Gateshead trio
With support from Northumbria Police, we have have handed anti-social behaviour (ASB) injunctions to three individuals from Sheriff Hill and Swalwell in Gateshead.
The injunctions follow a series of shocking incidents targeting vulnerable residents. These included cuckooing their properties and using them as a base for illicit activities, stealing money given to the victims in benefits, stealing food delivered by carers, physical assaults, as well as other forms of exploitative and threatening behaviour.
Under the terms of the injunction, Joanne Reay, 45, and Kevin May, 58, of Ermine Crescent, Sheriff Hill, and Natasha Newton, 29, of Milton Road, Swalwell, are forbidden from causing harassment, alarm or distress, nuisance or annoyance, to any person in Gateshead, by using or threatening violence towards people or property, demanding money from any person using threats or intimidation, using another person's property for abusing drugs and alcohol, and taking money, food, and alcohol from any person without their permission.
Joanne Reay and Natasha Newton are also prohibited from entering Sheriff Hill, Beacon Lough, Whitehills, and Milton Road, Swalwell.
A failure to comply with the terms of the ASB injunction, which were imposed by the County Court at Gateshead under the terms of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, will result in their arrest, and could result in them being jailed.
Councillor John Adams, Cabinet Member for Housing at Gateshead Council, said:
"The conduct of the three defendants in this case is truly appalling. They have consistently used threatening and coercive behaviour to intimidate vulnerable people for their own gain - this is not acceptable.
"All residents have a right to feel safe and secure in their home, so as soon as the extent of their offending became apparent, Gateshead Council's housing service moved swiftly to get the injunctions in place to protect those affected, as well as preventing any escalation. Should they fail to abide by the terms of the injunctions, they face immediate arrest and a possible jail term.
"Anti-social behaviour can have an incredibly harmful effect on our communities, and we will continue to work hand-in-hand with Northumbria Police to take definitive action against those who make the lives of our residents a misery."
Inspector Kevin Ashurst, of Northumbria Police, said:
"This is welcome news for the residents of Swalwell, Sheriff Hill and the surrounding areas who are simply fed up.
"These defendants have shown a total disregard for the welfare of others in their community and have ignored various warnings to clean up their acts.
"This injunction will help us manage their future behaviour, with two of the defendants banned from entering the areas most affected. Should they ignore these strict conditions, they face re-arrest and the courts will have greater powers in which to sentence them.
"I hope this outcome offers reassurance to the community and I would like to thank them for their patience and cooperation. We will continue to use every avenue at our disposal - whether criminal or civil - to effectively tackle and prevent anti-social behaviour in this region."
The injunctions were imposed on Joanne Reay and Kevin May on 27 January 2023 until 26 January 2024. An interim injunction applies to Natasha Newton, with a return hearing scheduled for 16 February.
Anyone who witnesses Joanne Reay, Kevin May, or Natasha Newton breaching the conditions of their injunctions should call Northumbria Police on 101, or report it online (opens new window).
Image: Northumbria Police copyright - no reproduction without permission.
With support from Northumbria Police, we have have handed anti-social behaviour (ASB) injunctions to three individuals from Sheriff Hill and Swalwell in Gateshead.
The injunctions follow a series of shocking incidents targeting vulnerable residents. These included cuckooing their properties and using them as a base for illicit activities, stealing money given to the victims in benefits, stealing food delivered by carers, physical assaults, as well as other forms of exploitative and threatening behaviour.
Under the terms of the injunction, Joanne Reay, 45, and Kevin May, 58, of Ermine Crescent, Sheriff Hill, and Natasha Newton, 29, of Milton Road, Swalwell, are forbidden from causing harassment, alarm or distress, nuisance or annoyance, to any person in Gateshead, by using or threatening violence towards people or property, demanding money from any person using threats or intimidation, using another person's property for abusing drugs and alcohol, and taking money, food, and alcohol from any person without their permission.
Joanne Reay and Natasha Newton are also prohibited from entering Sheriff Hill, Beacon Lough, Whitehills, and Milton Road, Swalwell.
A failure to comply with the terms of the ASB injunction, which were imposed by the County Court at Gateshead under the terms of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, will result in their arrest, and could result in them being jailed.
Councillor John Adams, Cabinet Member for Housing at Gateshead Council, said:
"The conduct of the three defendants in this case is truly appalling. They have consistently used threatening and coercive behaviour to intimidate vulnerable people for their own gain - this is not acceptable.
"All residents have a right to feel safe and secure in their home, so as soon as the extent of their offending became apparent, Gateshead Council's housing service moved swiftly to get the injunctions in place to protect those affected, as well as preventing any escalation. Should they fail to abide by the terms of the injunctions, they face immediate arrest and a possible jail term.
"Anti-social behaviour can have an incredibly harmful effect on our communities, and we will continue to work hand-in-hand with Northumbria Police to take definitive action against those who make the lives of our residents a misery."
Inspector Kevin Ashurst, of Northumbria Police, said:
"This is welcome news for the residents of Swalwell, Sheriff Hill and the surrounding areas who are simply fed up.
"These defendants have shown a total disregard for the welfare of others in their community and have ignored various warnings to clean up their acts.
"This injunction will help us manage their future behaviour, with two of the defendants banned from entering the areas most affected. Should they ignore these strict conditions, they face re-arrest and the courts will have greater powers in which to sentence them.
"I hope this outcome offers reassurance to the community and I would like to thank them for their patience and cooperation. We will continue to use every avenue at our disposal - whether criminal or civil - to effectively tackle and prevent anti-social behaviour in this region."
The injunctions were imposed on Joanne Reay and Kevin May on 27 January 2023 until 26 January 2024. An interim injunction applies to Natasha Newton, with a return hearing scheduled for 16 February.
Anyone who witnesses Joanne Reay, Kevin May, or Natasha Newton breaching the conditions of their injunctions should call Northumbria Police on 101, or report it online (opens new window).
Image: Northumbria Police copyright - no reproduction without permission.
