Tenant banned from having visitors at Washington flat after 20 reports of disorder, drug misuse and violence

Paige Allsopp, of Lumley Close in Oxclose, Washington, has been served with the three-month closure order through South Tyneside Magistrates’ after action by Northumbria Police – with a review ready for when it expires in June.

It sets out that only she, the landlord and their representatives, the emergency services and those from the court service are allowed into the property, while two other named people are allowed to attend, but not enter.

Her sister Courtney Allsopp, said to have previously lived at the address, was not party to proceedings according to court records.

Police and Sunderland City Council say they received complaints from fed-up neighbours about spiralling antisocial behaviour – with shouting, swearing and violence reported, often in the middle of the night.

It was also said rubbish, including mattresses, were thrown from upstairs windows into the street, while visitors loitered around the premises.

In September the two Allsopp sisters were issued with civil injunctions as a final chance to clean up their act .

But with incidents continuing to escalate, police and the council secured a closure order, which also resulted in three people being evicted.

It forbids anybody other than the sole tenant to enter or reside at the property – and any breaches could lead to jail.

Sergeant Patrick Scott said the behaviour had been “completely unacceptable” and had a significant impact on neighbours’ quality of life.

He added: “We have received report after report of disturbances at that address over the last 12 months, and at a time when most of Northumbria have pulled together and shown a real togetherness, these individuals have been having the opposite effect on their communities.

“Many residents we have spoken to have been reluctant to speak out due to intimidation and fear of possible reprisals.”

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Kim McGuinness, welcomed the outcome, while Councillor Graeme Miller, Leader of Sunderland City Council, added: “While they have been evicted, I would like to reassure residents that the antisocial behaviour injunction will remain.

“We are also pursuing the breach of their injunction, in which the maximum penalty is up to two years imprisonment.”

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