Sword-brandishing tenant evicted and jailed

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities, Legal

A Coventry man who threatened residents and housing staff with a sword has been evicted from his social home and jailed.

Tony Walaz-Fernandez's actions included assault and purposely causing a contractor to fall 20 feet from scaffolding.

Landlord Whitefriars Housing evicted and also brought the case against the 31-year-old Hillmorton Road tenant.

Coventry Crown Court heard on Monday that Mr Walaz-Fernandez had created an on-going fear of violence towards his neighbours. He was jailed for eight months.

Judge Philip Gregory said: “You have refused to acknowledge and apologise for what you did. You must understand that violent behaviour will not be tolerated.”

Gail Cooper, head of Whitefriars’ anti-social behaviour team, empathised the landlord's intent to send a clear  message that violence will not be tolerated. She said: "The eight month sentence demonstrates a zero tolerance to this type of behaviour.

“We work closely with the police to ensure that criminal activity is tackled and if tenants are found guilty of a criminal offence they run the risk of being evicted from their homes.”