Jill Drummond was yesterday (Wednesday) ordered to leave her council house in Cook Street following numerous complaints of anti-social behaviour including shouting, swearing, fighting with weapons, excessive drinking, and late night and day time parties.

Fife Police had earlier obtained a closure order against Drummond (42), at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court, preventing her from living at the property for the next three months.

Officers attended the premises where the front door was sealed off.
PC Ross Laing of the safer neighbourhoods team said the problems had started when Drummond moved into the property around three months ago.

Since then Fife Council's housing investigation team, local councillors and Fife Police have been inundated with complaints regarding anti-social behaviour at the house, with residents claiming to be in fear of their safety, and reporting frequent drunken visitors.

PC Laing said: "It was very clear that this woman did not care she was subjecting her neighbours to months of misery.

"The police were called to the address on numerous occasions and despite repeated warnings, this fell on deaf ears.

"Fife Police and partner agencies have to address the concerns of the community and wider public. In this case a robust stance was taken which will hopefully allow for a better quality of life for the neighbours who have suffered."

Residents expressed relief following Drummond's eviction yesterday.
One neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "It has been a living hell but the police and Council have been brilliant."

Another added: "It is about time that she was forced to leave. We are really pleased. This is a good street with no trouble before she came."

Local councillor Kay Carrington said: "I was approached by residents on at least a dozen separate occasions regarding this case. It is difficult because we have to look at the effects of this kind of behaviour on the neighbours, and how this impacts all the efforts being made to improve the Dysart area."

Sheriff Peter Braid granted the closure order - a legal mechanism which bars a nuisance neighbour from living at an address for up to six months - following representations made on behalf of the Chief Constable.

Sheriff Braid concluded: "I am satisfied that a person has engaged in anti-social behaviour on the premises. There is ample evidence that shows this.

"There has also been anti-social behaviour on the premises associated with relevant harm.