Ref. 29717-9EVICTION FEATURE: A FAMILY from Moredon will be the latest nuisance neighbours evicted from a council house for terrorising their community.

The Kassouris, of Cherhill Court, say they do not cause any problems. But Swindon Council housing bosses say they are behind a campaign of trouble in the area.

The council claims Andrea Kassouri, 39, and her two children, Charlotte, 16, and Thomas, 15, have been responsible for a sustained campaign of trouble.

But the family say they have been wrongly blamed for much of the anti-social behaviour in their block of flats, and have complained that the action is unfair.

However, Mrs Kassouri failed in a bid to overturn an eviction order issued by Swindon County Court.

The council took the family to court following numerous complaints about the family, including verbal abuse and vandalism.

Mrs Kassouri, who moved into the house in October 2002, now has to leave by Wednesday.

She has arranged private accommodation nearby.

Mark Walker, a housing officer at Swindon Council, said: "A significant number of residents wanted us to take action.

"The complaints started within a couple of months of them moving in.

"We gathered a lot of evidence about them.

"This sends a clear message that this kind of behaviour is unacceptable. We always try to engage with people to help them to address the problems but,if we are rebuffed we will act to protect other residents.

"This kind of behaviour grinds people down."

But Mrs Kassouri, who works at the Wilkinson store, in Fleet Street, is adamant that her family have been unfairly tarnished.

She claims children from other estates cause trouble in the block, which is blamed on her son Thomas.

She said: "It's completely unfair. The council has not given us a chance.

"My son did get into a fight with a neighbour's son, and he was arrested, but the charges were dropped.

"He causes a few problems, but is no worse than any other child here."

She claims that when the family moved in, the boiler didn't work for two weeks, leaving them with no hot water or heating.

"I have problems with the council myself," she said.

"And I have also been the victim of problems. I had eggs and flour thrown at my door at 2am once, and vandals dented the roof of my car by jumping on it.

"I provided the court with four letters of support from my neighbours."

Thomas, a pupil at Hreod Parkway School, said: "I have not been harassing neighbours, and have been blamed for lots of things I haven't done."

Other tenants seemed surprised to hear the family were being thrown out.

Mrs Kassouri's neighbour, a 24-year-old woman who declined to be named, said: "The kids do cause noise and run around but, then, so do all kids.

"I have lived here for a month and have had no problems."

Another neighbour, a 45 year-old woman who also asked to remain anonymous, said: "My daughter is friends with Charlotte.

"I have always found her very polite and well behaved.

"A lot of problems are caused by children from elsewhere."

Last year, 3,000 irate tenants across the borough contacted Swindon Council, saying their lives were being ruined by unruly neighbours.

Loud music, abusive behaviour and tearaway children can make people feel like prisoners in their own home.

Housing chiefs say such behaviour will not be tolerated, and have warned rowdy tenants that they face eviction.

Coun Andy Abinson, Swindon Council's lead member for housing, said: "The council has given Mrs Kassouri and her family every opportunity to engage and peacefully co-exist in Moredon.

"For whatever reasons, she and her family have chosen a path that was clearly damaging the fabric of the community.

"It is totally unacceptable for anyone to behave in the manner in which she has and expect nothing to be done.

"I hope news of this action sends a clear warning to all who wish to behave in a similar manner to that in which Mrs Kassouri and her family have clearly done."

Anyone who is suffering from nuisance neighbours should call the council's housing department on 01793 464811.