Behave!

Calico chiefs promised no let up in their quest to rid the borough's estates of anti-social behaviour after taking tenants - including a family of 10 - to court for making other residents' lives hell.

Problems included loud music, out-of-control dogs, residents being assaulted and abuse and insults hurled at people in the street.

Now those behind the trouble have been slapped with orders which will see them evicted if they cause any more problems for their neighbours.

The housing company successfully brought the private prosecutions in the last three weeks after incidents in Malvern Avenue, Padiham.

The moves were today welcomed by residents who said it showed people were not above the law when it came to behaving in an anti-social way.

But those hit by the orders said they were being victimised.

Angela Wood, anti-social behaviour manager for Calico, said: "The message is clear anti-social behaviour is unacceptable.

"We are working with residents and the police to improve the borough's estates. Calico and the law abiding residents are not prepared to tolerate this type of behaviour anymore."

Following complaints by residents of Stonemoor Bottom, the landlord - which took over control of Burnley Council's former housing stock - launched actions which saw:

oStuart Murgatroyd, 33, of Malvern Avenue, receive a two-year suspended sentence on April 28 after he intimidated a witness and used threatening and foul and abusive language, breaching an earlier injunction taken out by Calico.

oKarl Weaver received a six-month injunction on May 12 after assaulting residents. The injunction prevents him from engaging or threatening to engage in nuisance behaviour, harassing people, using insulting, abusive or threatening behaviour, using or threatening to use violence and entering a house on Malvern Avenue.

oGeorge and Lorraine Barnes, 40 and 39, and their eight children receive a two-year suspended warrant imposed on May 9 for verbally abusing neighbours, failing to keep dogs under control and nuisance behaviour. The warrant prevents them or their visitors from causing or encouraging nuisance, playing ball games in the courtyard behind their home, playing loud music and keeping more than two dogs which must be kept on a lead.

If they fail to comply with the orders Murgatroyd - who with his partner has 10 children - and Weaver could be locked up and the Barnes would be evicted.

But today Lorraine Barnes claimed her family had done nothing wrong. She said: "I was always on the understanding that before they could fetch a case against anyone it has to be proved. They have gone to court on the basis of lies.

"We are being victimised. If we break any of the rules I can be thrown out of my house. I am disgusted.

"If anyone says anything wrong about me I can be thrown out of my home. It's just because I have a big family."

She was backed by next-door neighbour Chelsea Storrier who said she had always got on with the family and they turned their music down when asked.

She said: "Anything happens on the estate and her kids get blamed."

But a spokesman for the Stonemoor Bottom Residents' Association said today: "Both the police, and in particular our community beat manager Tony Himycz, and Calico, have been fantastic in helping to deal with some of the problems on the estate.

"Hopefully the actions they have taken will show people they are not above the law."