Horror home closed after drug reports

A HORROR home has been shut down after reports of drugs and gangs brandishing knives and machetes in the street.

Teesside Magistrates’ Court agreed on Wednesday to close the property in Yeoman Terrace in Marske after hearing of complaints going back nearly 18 months. The court ordered that the property be closed for three months.

Magistrates were provided with statements from neighbours who told of their fear of incidents involving the male occupant with some saying they had become frightened to leave their own home and the situation had affected both their mental and physical health. The application for the closure order was brought by Redcar and Cleveland Council with the support of Cleveland Police after months of evidence gathering.

The court was told that council antisocial behaviour officers were first alerted to complaints at the Marske address in January 2022. Incidents at the Marske property reported to the court included threatening and intimidating behaviour, alleged drug dealing and the consumption of drugs in the property. The most recent incident involved a gang of males brandishing a knife and attempting to kick the door down. Several warnings were made to the occupant by the council and Cleveland Police however they have had no impact.

Residents described how they lived in constant fear of something happening to them, their family and friends or their neighbours. Quotes from neighbours included: “It is a very stressful way of living,” “I am literally scared wondering what is going to happen next.”