Derby Homes, the organisation that manages and maintain Derby’s 14,000 council houses has successfully secured two 12 Month prison sentences against a tenant who was in breach of a court order.

On Friday 21 September 2007 at Derby Crown Court, Judge Orrell found Mark Garton of Arkwright Street, Allenton to have breached for a second time an injunction brought against him by Derby Homes. 

Mark Garton had previously received a 21 day prison sentence in June for breaching the same order.  Mr Garton was found to have breached the order by intimidating one of the witnesses involved, and the second breach related to him assaulting and verbally abusing another witness.  Although he was not arrested for these offences, they were treated as a criminal matter and placed Mr Garton in breach of the court order.

Phil Davies, Chief Executive of Derby Homes said “this is an excellent result that demonstrates the confidence that residents can and do feel with Derby Homes, and proves that we take timely and effective action and follow up breaches of orders we have sought from the courts”.  Dennis Rees, Chair of Derby Homes added “without the support of the witnesses involved in this case we would not have been able to bring action against Mr Garton.  It also shows that the courts take such breaches seriously.”

Mark Garton’s partner, Teresa Woods was also due to face Derby Crown Court for breaching her order, again demonstrating that Derby Homes takes a strong stand against tenants who create anti social behaviour on our estates.