A HELLISH neighbour who narrowly avoided eviction by giving up the tenancy of his council home has agreed to leave a second local authority property.

Former bodybuilder Paul Ibbotson left his Walmgate flat in May as part of a City of York Council drive to crack down on disruptive residents.

But a few weeks later a sharp-eyed council estate manager noticed that Mr Ibbotson and his partner were again living in a council flat, this time in Clarence Street.

Neighbours said the official occupier had not been seen for a while and it was believed he had handed the keys to Mr Ibbotson. Yesterday Mr Ibbotson agreed to move on, rather than face further legal action.

A spokesman for City of York Council's tenancy enforcement team said: "It isn't right that someone who has abused their own tenancy is able to move into another council property, especially when there is such a demand for them.

"The tenant voluntarily gave up his keys, thus ending his tenancy, when it was noted that he had moved to Dringhouses to live with his partner.

He added: "Once we had pointed out to Mr Ibbotson that his friend had given up his tenancy and he had no right to be in a council flat, he agreed to go.

"We were able to secure the flat yesterday morning and now the flat can be let to someone on the waiting list who has housing need."

In May, the Evening Press revealed how Mr Ibbotson became the fourth neighbour from hell to leave a Walmgate property after he was targeted by City of York Council for his bad behaviour.

He has a string of convictions for handling stolen property and his home was raided by police looking for stolen goods in February and November.

In documents submitted to York County Court, he admitted causing late-night noise, including domestic arguments and slamming doors.

Mr Ibbotson and his girlfriend declined to comment yesterday.

Updated: 13:53 Tuesday, July 06, 2004