Visitors have been banned from going into a drug den flat in South Wigston, in a bid to curb persistent anti-social behaviour at the property.
A partial Closure Order has been granted for the flat, which sits on Blaby Road in South Wigston, after local residents and businesses in the area raised repeated concerns about persistent anti-social behaviour.
The issues caused by the tenant, Michael Kirby, 49, involved noise-nuisance, drug misuse, drug dealing and criminal damage.
These issues were compounded by Mr Kirby allowing a high turnover of visitors to the property, who mostly would stay for only short periods of time.
At a hearing at Loughborough Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 26 October, Oadby & Wigston Borough Council’s Legal & Democratic Services Manager and Solicitor, Samuel Ball, told the court that ‘intelligence gathered had identified the property as being an epicentre of criminality and anti-social behaviour in the area’.
The Closure Order now means that, apart from Mr Kirby and two members of his immediate family, from 2pm on 26 October, no one else is allowed to enter the property.
On granting the order, Magistrates warned that anyone breaching the order without a reasonable excuse could be arrested and, if found guilty, could face a punishment of up to 51 weeks in prison and/or an unlimited fine.
Councillor John Boyce, Leader of Oadby & Wigston Borough Council, said: “Residents and businesses in our borough should be able to live in safe communities, free from the fear and nuisance caused by others.
“This Order sends a clear message that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and, together with our partners, we will continue to use all legal remedies available to robustly deal with anti-social behaviour to protect our communities.”
