Residents' champagne farewell after 'neighbour from hell' is evicted

Everybody, that is, except Rachel Morley.

It was her eviction after more than a year of loud music, vandalism and gang fights which led to the impromptu celebration.

And she was forced to watch her neighbours preparing to make merry while bailiffs removed her belongings and council workers boarded up the windows.

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Seven police officers and a dog were also on hand to prevent any interruptions.

"She has caused us so much grief but it will be us making the noise tonight as we party and celebrate," said sales worker Naomi Hislop, who lives next door.

It was in March last year that Miss Morley, 35, a former squatter, was granted the tenancy of her council semi in Stowmarket, Suffolk.

Within days neighbours were making complaints about the number of visitors and the noise, particularly music late at night.

Shattered glass was strewn around the property, rubbish thrown around the garden and, most terrifying of all, gangs would fight outside the house, armed with weapons including metal bars.

Despite visits and letters from environmental health officers, the climate of fear continued and by September, 64 residents from six roads had signed a petition for action to be taken and started logging complaints.

A noise abatement notice was served on Miss Morley on January 9 this year but only three days later an environmental health officer witnessed it being breached.

She also failed to turn up for interviews under caution to discuss the breaches and ignored a court injunction forbidding noise outside the house, shouting, swearing, being drunk and allowing people to be drunk or to fight.

On Thursday the bailiffs moved in after Ipswich County Court agreed she had breached its injunction.

Neighbour Amanda Ruck, a mother of two, said: "There have been parties all night, loud music, the place being smashed up. Fencing panels have been smashed.

"We have had gang fights with metal bars and knives, damage to the property, cars scratched, stones thrown at houses, abuse in the street, intimidation.

"It has made our lives absolute hell. This has caused a lot of stress and I have had to see the doctor about it. It's got us all down. We just could not sleep.

"I have been frightened to let my children out, even though they are 16 and 18. I was so worried my boys would not be safe. It's great to see her go."

Miss Hislop added: "I would lie there crying some nights and have to be up at 6.30am for work. There would be music, banging, they wrecked their house and took the carpets up so the noise echoed around."

Housing officer Andrew Weavers said the council would not tolerate anti-social behaviour. "Residents have had to put up with noise, aggressive and drunken behaviour and acts of vandalism," he said.

"The council has worked in partnership with the local residents, the police and other agencies to solve this situation." A Suffolk Police spokesman said: "The eviction passed off peacefully and no arrests were made."

Miss Morley refused to comment before leaving for an undisclosed destination.

A council spokesman said: "She made herself intentionally homeless with her anti-social behaviour.

"We have no legal obligation towards her whatsover. She could go to a refuge centre or stay with friends."