Sheffield council house teenager hit with ASBO

Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities

A teenage Sheffield Homes tenant has been handed an ASBO after a campaign of menace against his neighbours.

Over the past three years Cory Hackford, 15, of Stradbroke Road has thrown stones and bottles at his neighbours’ greenhouses and windows, and destroyed their gardens.

He also shouted, swore and spat at his neighbours and Sheffield Homes staff.

Officers from South Yorkshire Police, the council and Sheffield Homes have tried in the past to stop Hackford’s behaviour by providing help for the family via the Sheffield High Support Service.

The youth signed an Acceptable Behaviour Contract, whilst his mother Donna Hackford signed a Parenting Contract.

However, the attempts to halt the anti-social behaviour failed so an application for an ASBO was made.

Neither Hackford nor his mother attended the first hearing on the 14 June, despite having being served with papers and advised to attend.

District Judge Sheila Driver adjourned the application for a week, but when the case came before her again at Sheffield Magistrates Court the pair were again absent.

 Judge Driver accepted the evidence from local residents, Police, the council and Sheffield Homes officers and granted an ASBO, which includes prohibitions - most of which are citywide – that last for three years.

They prevent Hackford from:

• Behaving in a way that causes people to feel harassed or fear for their safety (or tell or encourage others to behave in such a way)
• Swearing or being verbally abusive to people
• Throwing stones or other objects at people or property
• Entering private gardens or property without the permission of the occupier
• Entering any Local Authority children’s home without permission
• Being outside in a public place between 8pm and 7am

He is also not allowed to approach any witnesses in the case or be abusive, insulting or threatening towards them.

“Lots of work goes on around the city to support families with children who are getting into trouble, to help keep them on the straight and narrow,” said Councillor Harry Harpham, Cabinet Member for Homes and Neighbourhoods.

“However, on this occasion, we have exhausted those options and have had to take legal action. Although this is a last resort, we have to think about the people who are suffering as a result of this teenager’s actions and send out a strong message that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated.”