National recognition for family who stood firm against racist attacker

A family of four from Oldham who stood up to physical and verbal abuse from a nightmare neighbour for more than 12 months have won national recognition from their housing association.

Milan and Monika Novotny (pictured) and their two adult sons, who are originally from the Czech Republic, had to be moved from their home in Ethel Court for their own safety.

However, their bravery and determination in facing up to the perpetrator was recognised this week with a ‘Standing Together’ Award from Guinness Northern Counties. The award was presented at a special ceremony, held at the Bower Hotel in Chadderton, Oldham, on Thursday December 3.

The awards, launched in 2007, are designed to honour and recognise customers of the association who take a stand against anti-social behaviour in their communities. Individuals can be nominated by a neighbour or a Guinness Northern Counties employee and customers themselves sit on a judging panel.

The family’s nightmare began in June 2008 when Mrs Novotny was out walking her dog on the estate and ‘Mr A’, the boyfriend of a neighbour, started to follow her, shouting obscenities and racial abuse.

The following month, whilst she was at home with her son, Mr A came into their back garden and shouted obscenities through the window, threatening them with a knife, which they later saw him use to stab another man.

In August 2008, as Mr Novotny Jr. returned from his local shops, he was subjected to a vicious and unprovoked attack by Mr A and some of his friends.
The attack, which lasted almost five minutes, led to him being punched in the face and hit across the back with a plank of wood embedded with nails.

Mr Novotny Snr. was terrified for his family’s safety as he worked away from home and felt powerless to protect them. However, refusing to be beaten, he reported the incidents to the police and Guinness Northern Counties.

The housing association acted swiftly and brought in a translator to take accurate statements so the appropriate legal action could be taken and within 48 hours they had obtained an Anti-Social Behaviour Emergency Injunction with exclusion and a power of arrest was granted.

Mr A breached the injunction by continuing to enter the estate and making further threats to the family. But police were unable to locate him. He then threatened two vulnerable residents with a knife in a supported housing scheme on the estate, which led to his arrest and trial.

Even in Court, Mr A continued to be abusive to police and made further threats to the Novotny family, claiming his friends would ‘burn down the refugee’s house if he was sent down.’

Mrs Novotny broke down in tears at hearing this and Guinness Northern Counties staff acted swiftly to have the family relocated to a hotel while they found them safe, alternative accommodation in a different area. They have now moved away permanently from the home where their ordeal took place.

Despite their terrifying experience the Novotny family attended court on three occasions to give evidence against Mr A, who was then finally sent to prison in September 2008 for two months for the breaches of the order.

Carol Matthews, Chief Executive of Guinness Northern Counties, said: “This has been a terrible ordeal for the Novotny family and they fully deserve this award for their sheer bravery and determination.

"The case worker involved was personally affected by the severity of the case, one of the worst she has handled. Yet despite the suffering they have gone through, the family still found time to personally thank both the case worker and her housing officer for their support. They are an example to us all.”