I’m being forced to live next door to the man who did this to me
Residents say problem tenant has caused chaos at block of flats
A CRIME victim is being forced to lilive next door to the man accusedaccu of slashing his throatathroatafter he was allowed out on bbail. Paul SmSmith was left seriously injured ffrom a neck wound after beibeing cut with a knife as he openeopened the door of his flat on MonMonday morning. The 49-4 year- old called police andan the alleged attacker was arrestedar and taken from the Glasgow city centre property. property But aan application for bail conditions condit ordering the accused accuse man to stay away from tthe block of flats was not grantedgra by the court – meaning me the man, who cannot ca be named, was free fre to return. Paul claims Glasgow Housing Ho Association has repeatedly repea fobbed of f concernsconce he and other residents raised. He said: “This has been an ongoing incident with one particular neighbour and I’m not the only person in my close having issues with him. The amount of damage that has been done to the close is unbelievable.
“We’ve complained to Glasgow Housing Association but it seems like we’re going round and round in circles. This one person is ruining everybody’s lives.”
After Paul was allegedly assaulted by the neighbour, a man was arrested by police.
Paul said: “I got a call yesterday telling me bail conditions stopping him from coming back to the address weren’t authorised so he would be back – despite being charged. Now, I don’t know where to turn or what to do.”
Paul contacted GHA to make it aware of the incident but claims he was told that it “wasn’t their concern”. He says he is now living in fear and unable to leave his home after suf fering two broken ankles in an accident in June.
He added: “GHA are still saying there’s nothing they can do and the problems continue.
“Every time I’ve called the contact centre, they said they were aware of incidents and would contact my housing officer. They were sending my housing officer at least two emails per week after my calls.
“Af t e r being assaulted, I called the housing officer as this i ssue has been ongoing and I’ve been told to keep reporting it.
“They did offer me a hotel for the night but I would have had to leave my flat on my own and go down the stairs on my bum.
“This has been going on for too long now. We need this man kicked out of the property. He has repeatedly breached his tenancy agreement yet we are left to suffer.”
A GHA spokesperson said: “We work with Police Scotland to tackle any matters of anti-social behaviour and crime in our properties. We are taking action to resolve this issue involving a resident but as it involves going through the courts, it will take time.
“We understand how difficult this is for the tenant and in the meantime we’re doing everything we can to help. “We offered him emergency hotel accommodation last night.
“We also offered him help from our specialist tenancy support service, which unfortunately he declined.”
I don’t know where to turn or what to do PAUL SMITH ON LIVING IN FEAR AT HIS HOME