Court order bans Maybridge family from home

Helen Lee, sons Joshua, 15, and Damien, 13, and her husband Brian, have been told they will not be able to live at 113 The Quadrant, Maybridge, for three months after a closure order was granted at Worthing Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, December 7.

During the hearing, the court heard how neighbours were "prisoners in their own homes", with two families moving away.

Claims read out in court included fights, footballs kicked against cars and homes, verbal abuse, threats, and drunken behaviour.

Police operation

During the case, part of Operation Wolf, 10 residents spoke out against the family in surveys and witness statements.

In their defence, the Lees, handed in letters of support from other neighbours.

Lee (nee Dawkins), 37, denied much of the evidence read out in court, describing it as "malicious", "absolute rubbish" and claiming the police and neighbours were "exaggerating".

She told the court: "My neighbours do like me. If they didn't like me they would not have written letters of support."

Judge satisfied

District judge Roger Ede granted the closing order, saying it was not a "balancing exercise" between those for and against the family.

"I am satisfied as a result, that over quite a long period of time the people living at 113 have caused considerable distress."

Police asked for the Lees to be banned from entering The Quadrant but Mr Ede refused, saying it was unnecessary.

The family have been offered accommodation at a bed and breakfast in Hove.

Read the full court report in the Thursday, December 10 edition of the Worthing Herald.

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