Exeter 'family from hell' evicted
A FAMILY described as the ‘worst in Exeter’ have been evicted from their home after a 14-year reign of terror and anti-social behaviour.
Police say residents in King Stephen Close, in St James, have for years seen their neighbourhood blighted with violence, threatening behaviour and criminal damage by the “neighbours from hell”.
And despite an eviction order from the courts last month, Anthony and Denise Strange and their three teenage sons refused to move.
But yesterday, police and housing officers descended on the property to force the family out for good. As she packed up her belongings, Mrs Strange told the Echo there had been problems in the home for many years.
She said: “For me, this is a good thing. It is a bit of a blessing and it will be a fresh start.”
The family’s eviction will also be a fresh start for residents, many of whom said they lived in a permanent state of fear.
And police described the family as the worst in Exeter and said they had around 200 reports for the Stranges.
Neighbourhood Beat Manager for St James, PC Rob Bolt, said: “There has been a history of anti-social behaviour and violence for the residents of King Stephen Close over a 14-year period. And there have been 200 police reports for the family, which consists of Anthony and Denise Strange and their three sons, Dale, Bradley and Tony, since 2002.
“They have been described as the worst family in Exeter.
“The allegations concerned the wild and ungovernable behaviour of the three boys, who insulted neighbours, fought each other, threatened and swore at residents, drove dangerously up and down the street, threw eggs and stones, stole petrol, vandalised property and shouted racist and obscene abuse.
“They terrorised the neighbourhood and made residents’ lives a nightmare.”
Inside the house occupied by the family, extensive damage to the property was visible in just about every room.
There were holes in walls and broken glass and rubbish scattered across the floors.
Housing officers estimate that the family have caused thousands of pounds of damage to the property and say it will take months to refurbish.
Delighted neighbours said they were relieved the family were going for good.
One, who did not wish to be named for fear of reprisals, said: “There was constant fighting, which would spill out on to the street. The whole close was affected by it. It will be such a relief to see the children playing out here safely.”
Another resident, a 36-year-old mum-of-three, said she often felt “afraid”.
And Tammy Green, a 37-year-old school assistant, described the family as “neighbours from hell”.
Police say evicting the family was a last resort and that they had tried various measures — including an injunction against Anthony Strange and an Asbo against Dale Strange — to combat the problems.
But a full possession order was granted to the landlord Sanctuary Housing last month after police gathered evidence from neighbours and other sources.
Sergeant Andy Nordqvist said: “The action taken is the result of some excellent partnership working between the police and the landlord Sanctuary Housing.”
Richard Keeley, of Sanctuary, said: “This case highlights how seriously we view anti-social behaviour.”
55 Comments
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by duchyblues
Saturday, July 23 2011, 7:08AM
“With respect Richard "This case highlights how seriously we view anti-social behaviour." is utter nonsense. Having reported Anti Social Behaviour dozens of times myself in writing to Sanctuary Shaftesbury we both know you and your staff will first be in denial for months, and while the problem continues, and your staff then start lying and cheating to protect only themselves and not the tenants. If all else fails you then corrupt your own complaints procedure to protect staff.
You will recall you personally blackmailed me into accepting Mediation or remain at Stage 2 of Sanctuary Housing's complaints procedure. You promised me an explanation to every complaint if I accepted Mediation. I accepted Mediation by TPAS who buried the complaints and railroaded their procedure to give you the outcome you needed. I know you will remember this because neither you, Oonah Lacey (TPAS) Mediator, or Michelle Reid (TPAS CEO) will talk to me or answer questions about that Mediation process which I never formally agreed to enter into. The plan was the Mediator would travel to Cornwall to explain the process one to one, get my agreement and then travel back up country to arrange both parties meet and enter into Mediation at a later date. What really happened was the Mediator travelled to Cornwall but neglected to tell me, and was therefore not impartial, that Sanctuary's representative had also travelled to Cornwall. To finish the scam off the Mediator did not advise me of the change until after the one to one meeting had begun by which time I could not refuse the representative taking part without penalty. Although I have never met you Richard, and have no wish to, your friend Oonah and yourself remain the lowest forms of life I have yet encountered in my 59 years. We need protection from low life like you. geoffscameras.”
by Zoe Clemett, Scarborough
Saturday, May 01 2010, 9:27PM
“Tammy green is but deffinatly was my dads partnerr and i am wantin to see my dad again as i hant seen him in 6 years maybe more his name is jamie/james clemett he lives in exeter and i really want to startin seining him again and get in contact with him, please if anyone knows tammy green or jamie clemett please email me cause i really just want my dad back. i live in yorkshire but it worked out before so i am sure it will again. i made the wrong decision when i was eieght i want to see my dad.
my email is: dancing_zozzo@hotmail.com
zoe x”
by Zoe Clemett, Scarborough
Saturday, May 01 2010, 9:23PM
“I think Tamy green is or definatly was my dads partner and i am tryin to get back in tough with him he lives in exeter and i havent seen him in about 6 year or maybe more. and when i used to soo him then he was with tammy green. if anyone knows her or Jamie/James Clemett please could you email me as i really want to see my dad again.
Dancing_zozzo@hotmail.com”
by another angry resident, exeter
Monday, March 01 2010, 5:06PM
“after reading half of the bull on ere,i will have my say now,it is easy 4 all of you to say wat a nice family,this family did nothing but abuse each other verbally and physically constantly,denise had lots of support when mr.strange left but she continued to abuse it,so no1 to blame but herself,has 4 people sayin they were her friends dont make me laugh when you was not in court to support her,dont call a paper round a job,and as 4 tony workin 4 charity,dont you mean community service?if people think on this street that thier behaviour was acceptable then i suggest you all need to consult a doctor.”
by Jason Strange, plainmoor Torquay
Monday, March 01 2010, 11:23AM
“Most people on here do not know the Strange Family.
They are decent People,
My Cousin Anthony spends hours working for chairity
bet you didnt know that.
My aunty D has been like a mother to me
you will not get a more finer lady.
Dont be so quick to judge guys.”
by MIKE JARVIS, SHIPHAY TORQUAY
Monday, March 01 2010, 11:13AM
“The strange famely are top people THEY NEVER DONE HALF THE THING SOME PERSONS ARE SAYING.
dale is a goody boy and helpe me alot.”
by Relieved, King Stephen close
Monday, March 01 2010, 12:10AM
“It has made my heart pound with anxiety just reading these comments.That is how badly I myself have been affected by this family, and the company they kept. I feel so strongly that I need to write this none the less. To those of you who haven't actually lived here and tried to bring up your own children safely, and decently, you have absolutely no idea what a nightmare it has been! A lot of people over the years have been terrified of speaking up, of making things worse?? So afraid it will place their lives and that of their children even more into harms way. Decent people have shamefully moved away.This estate has been controlled and dominated for far to long by this very small group of people, How do you think they managed to do that? I believe one could call it
'A reign of terror" Maybe the children didn't stand a chance of turning into decent, productive human beings, that fault lies with the parents, but why should other people doing their very own best with their own families had to of suffered for so long?? I feel so sorry for anyone who ends up with these people as their neighbours. It's too late though, isn't it , to have all those years back and bring our children up in a safe and peaceful environment.”
by angry resident, exeter
Sunday, February 28 2010, 8:54PM
“im having my say now, after reading some of the comments on here..the strange family were the neighbours from hell.and for the person on here who said none of us had trouble from them, we did, had nothing but abuse from them, its been a nightmare having to put up with this file family for these many years, the language and constant fighting ,shouting and screaming in the street has been a living nightmare,i would like to thank the police and the witnesses that went to court .without their evidence ,this file family would still be here...it makes me mad to think certain people , have said we have never had any trouble from them they were a nice family...all i can say is u must of had ur eyes shut and ears blocked for the last 14 years..”
by Cliff, Exeter
Sunday, February 28 2010, 8:02PM
“'Me' you make a good point but I dont think peoples gripe is with people such as yourself.
How on earth did they get away from it for 14 years? No doubt they will be moved to a penthouse on the quay or something.”
by Tom, Exeter
Sunday, February 28 2010, 7:55PM
“How does this country give people like this free houseing and benafits?? Crazy! If they dont appreciate their house then they can live in ther gutter not on my taxes!”