Noisy neighbours fined in court

Tanya Walt and Andrea Paglia, who previously resided at Freda Street, Southwick, appeared in court on 29 June 2022 for breaching Community Protection Notices (CPN) against them.

Neighbours reported that while Walt lived at the address she persisted in a course of conduct that had a severe detrimental impact upon the lives of the local community.

Seven residents of Freda Street signed statements, many of whom had lived on the street for several decades, describing their street as a lovely place to live until Walt moved in, and described the premises as a 'focal point for antisocial behaviour'.

They reported that Walt's associates were regularly using the property for drinking heavily and taking drugs. One of the regular visitors to the address was Andrea Paglia.

Residents described that when visitors would attend there was excessive noise and fighting would often spill into the street until the early hours of the morning, only for events to be repeated the following day.

After this was investigated, Sunderland City Council issued both Walt and Paglia with Community Protection Warnings (CPW) and when these were subsequently breached, they were escalated to CPNs.

The Community Protection Notice was breached on numerous occasions and on 8 December the Council, in partnership with Northumbria Police, secured a three-month closure order on the property.

The order prohibited anyone other than Walt from entering the premises. However, Andrea Paglia was identified trying to gain access to the property and was later arrested for trying to force entry.

Walt and Paglia were due in court on 29 June 2022 for a breach of Community Protection Notice but both failed to attend.

Both were found to be guilty in absence and Walt and Paglia were each fined £180, a surcharge of £34 and costs of £150.

Also due in court on 29 June for breach of CPN was Kevin Conlin of Newbury Street. Conlin failed to appear in court but his case was proven in absence. Sunderland City Council is now seeking a Criminal Behaviour Order against Conlin, and the hearing will take place on 2 August.

Councillor Graeme Miller, Leader of Sunderland City Council, said: "No one should have to live in fear of intimidating or distressing behaviour in their own neighbourhood, but that's what the residents of Freda Street have been subjected to.

"I would like to thank residents for coming forward and assisting our officers as they work to stamp out this kind of disruptive and antisocial behaviour. I hope this shows that we take reports seriously and will take action."