A TEENAGER who has been a thorn in the side of householders in a York street has finally been kicked out - to the delight of her neighbours.

City of York Council evicted Nicola Brown yesterday for serious noise nuisance after repeated warnings about breaching her secure tenancy agreement.

The 19-year-old left Bramham Road, saying she was "gutted" at having to leave, but went without a fuss after loading her belongings on to a trailer as bailiffs, police and council officers looked on.

The council won a court victory in April against Miss Brown for being a persistent nuisance neighbour after numerous householders complained about her behaviour, including noise and drug use at the property.

She received a suspended two-year possession order but, when her behaviour did not improve, a court order was made on August 16.

A Bramham Road resident who asked not to be named welcomed the eviction, and thanked the council for taking action.

"It's been absolute hell living here, what with the noise levels and comings and goings in the middle of the night.

"It's a bit of a notorious area at the moment, but this goes to prove there are people pulling together to get things sorted out."

Another neighbour said: "It is a big relief she has gone. The old lady who lived there before would turn in her grave if she knew what went on in her old home."

After moving out, Miss Brown told the Press: "I am gutted it has come to this. My mum spent a lot of money on decorating that house. It has all been done really nicely and I have lost it."

She conceded that some early noise complaints had been well founded - but claimed she had not made any noise since April.

Despite the "disappointment" at leaving, she said: "I have got a four-bedroom house to go to. It is privately rented and I will be happy there. It is a new start."

She also said she was now "completely clean" of a heroin addiction.

Neil McFarlane, of the tenancy enforcement team, said several local residents had been reluctant to help for fear of reprisals, but others had felt "enough is enough" and supported the council's bid to secure an eviction.

He said the situation would be monitored "to ensure there is no repetition of the nightmare scenario Ms Brown created".

Sgt Mike Stubbs, of the York community policing team, revealed that property from five burglaries had been recovered from Miss Brown's house in July 2003, including keys to four stolen cars.

Three men were arrested at her address at the same time. Miss Brown was convicted of handling stolen goods in March 2004.

Sgt Stubbs said: "She has been convicted and punished by the court.

"But her criminal behaviour, together with the problems she has caused for other residents in her street, has also resulted in her losing her home."

Updated: 10:39 Friday, September 03, 2004