A YORK drug user who is said to have made his neighbours' lives a misery has lost his appeal against being evicted from his council flat.

Wayne Robinson's Walmgate neighbours say the news is, for them, the equivalent of winning the lottery.

And a new council enforcement team has hailed the victory as the first step in its get-tough policy on anti-social neighbours.

City of York Council say numerous complaints had been made about Mr Robinson, and the council's newly-formed tenancy enforcement team took up the case when he was found to be £600 in arrears.

For five years, say neighbours, since Mr Robinson moved in and his friends began arriving at all hours, they have been unable to get more than a few hours sleep and life has been 'living hell'.

They say they have suffered:

* Threats of petrol bombs through letter boxes

* Defecating and urinating in the communal hallways

* Smashed doors and windows

* Death threats and abuse

* Blood-filled syringes left on stairs

* An endless stream of people ringing the bells and slamming the doors

But Mr Robinson flatly denies that he was responsible for any such nuisance and says he himself was victimised and threatened.

"As soon as I moved in one of my neighbours took against me," he said. "I am open about the fact I am a registered addict but I have been stable for three or four years now. I don't take street drugs and I don't deal drugs but some people don't want to believe that."

He says he got into rent arrears because he is dyslexic and could not read the forms he was sent by the council. But he says he offered to pay the money off week by week.

Tenancy enforcement manager Denis Southall said: "We hope the successful conclusion will send a message to other people who engage in anti-social behaviour."

The council estimates it will cost £3,000 to put right the damage done to the one-bedroom flat.

York crime prevention officer PC John Bolton, who works with council, said every legal means will be used to protect the quality of life of York residents.

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