WE'VE BEEN FORCED OUT (From Warrington Guardian)

WE'VE BEEN FORCED OUT

A PREGNANT mum claims she is being forced out of Newton by alleged threats from neighbours facing eviction.

Housing association Helena Housing wants to re-home Leonie Hyde, aged 30, of Wheatley Avenue, and children, Samantha, aged eight, and Luke, aged nine, because Leonie fears for her family's safety.

Leonie says she was hounded out of her home of four years, when new Helena Housing tenants moved next door, to 14 Wheatley Avenue, 12 months ago. She alleges the new tenants exposed themselves to her children, threw rotten milk, condoms and eggs at visitors to her house and daubed graffiti on her walls.

She says the final straw came when a threatening letter was pushed through her door just before Easter.

Now the family is living with a friend in Earlestown.

Police have confirmed they are investigating a number of incidents at a house in Wheatley Avenue and have the letter Leonie received on April 9.

Leonie said: "I'm the victim yet I'm being treated like a criminal.

"We've lived in Earlestown for seven years and my children are happy at the District Primary School. All their friends live nearby and they go to Brownies and Cadets in the town.

"I find it unfair that it is us who are being asked to move out of the area. I'm too scared to move back to Wheatley Avenue but if we could live somewhere else in Newton or Earlestown we'd be okay."

A spokesman for Helena Housing said: "Leonie Hyde and many other witnesses have made a series of complaints about nuisance behaviour of one of the other tenants in Wheatley Avenue. As a result of this tenant breaking the conditions of her tenancy agreement a Notice Requiring Possession of the property has been served.

"Leonie moved to temporary accommodation voluntarily."

The spokesman confirmed alternative accommodation was being sought for Leonie, but the association was recommending a move out of the Newton area.

He added that until June 11 the tenant issued with notice to quit Wheatley Avenue is able to file a defence. Only after this date is Helena Housing able to apply for an eviction.

The Guardian tried to contact the tenant of 14 Wheatley Avenue, but they were unavailable for comment.