HOUSING association chiefs have sounded a warning shot after evicting their first tenant in York for antisocial behaviour.

Young mum Jane Elcock was this week ordered out of her Clifton house after a court heard how she made neighbours' lives hell.

Today, landlord Tees Valley Housing Group, which runs about 100 properties in York, warned other tenants whose behaviour was equally bad would face being kicked out of their homes.

Head of housing Stewart Tagg said he was "really pleased" that Elcock would finally be removed from her home within a matter of weeks.

York County Court heard how her house in Imperial Court had been a "magnet" for gangs of teenagers, who were abusive to locals who challenged their behaviour.

Loud music being played at the house was also causing misery for neighbours.

One neighbour's ordeal culminated in a paving slab being thrown through his window - although there was no evidence to say who had thrown it. "We would want all our tenants to be able to live a quiet life," said Mr Tagg. "Jane Elcock didn't deserve to have a tenancy in Imperial Court.

"The message is: if it can be shown that you intend on making life intolerable for people around you, Tees Valley Housing Group doesn't want you as a tenant and will take whatever steps are necessary to repair the situation."

But he added: "It's very rare that we would have to evict somebody for antisocial behaviour. Most people are able to get on with their lives. But if it does happen, and it's severe enough, then we will take steps to terminate someone's tenancy."

Mr Tagg thanked locals who complained about Elcock's behaviour, including the neighbour who came to court to give evidence.

"We're really pleased that people on the estate have been prepared to come forward. It can be difficult to get independent witnesses," he said.

The neighbour who complained about Elcock's obnoxious behaviour was eventually relocated - a rare move for City of York Council.

Tenancy enforcement officer Neil McFarlane said: "It's quite rare to move someone. We prefer for victims or witnesses to stay in situ so we can deal with the perpetrator. We don't see why people's lives should be disrupted."

Updated: 10:16 Tuesday, July 26, 2005