Woman fined £80 for twice flouting Berkeley House closure order

A woman who twice contravened the closure order imposed on Berkeley House in Snow Hill has been fined £80.

Berkeley House in Snow Hill | Photo © Avon & Somerset Police

Sadie Pousson, 42, appeared before Bath magistrates on Monday, 7th September to admit that on both 8th July and 14th July she entered the communal area of Berkeley House, breaching the closure order which came into effect on 1st July.

Pousson was identified from images taken at the premises, the court heard.

The three-month order, which the police secured at Bath Magistrates’ Court, closes the common parts of the block – the stairwells, lifts, corridors, communal rooms, laundry rooms and bin rooms – to all people except for those with a valid title deed or valid rental agreement, those visiting with explicit permission, anyone authorised by housing association Curo, and any emergency services.

Community protection warnings and notices had previously been given to prohibit offenders from attending the area but the application for the order followed an increase in serious crime and anti-social behaviour at the 10-storey block.

At the court on 1st July, magistrates heard evidence of drug dealing and use, of knives being found, people assaulted, faeces, urine and blood in communal areas, stairwells blocked by rough sleepers and a fire being lit.

Residents in the 44-flat block had been individually notified about the court hearing and 30 notices were put up in the communal areas.

At Monday’s hearing, Pousson said she had no knowledge of the closure notice and if there were signs in the building, she didn’t read them.

She also admitted a charge stealing a pair of jogging bottoms from Sports Direct at Westgate Street on 2nd July. The clothing was recovered.

Pousson was represented by duty solicitor Bradley Axam who told the court of her “sad story”. He said she had been evicted and made street homeless and although her former flat had been subject to a possession order, there are people sleeping in the hallway.

Mr Axam also said Pousson is struggling to get possession of personal items which remain in her former flat, including her brother’s ashes.

In April a judge granted Curo an outright possession order on Pousson’s flat at Abbey Green which had been a den for illegal activities for many years, as the Echo reported at the time.

Magistrates fined Pousson £40 for each breach of the Berkeley House closure order and a further £40 for the theft. She was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a court surcharge of £48.

? This week Andrew Snee, Curo’s director of housing and support, said: “The closure order was secured to help restore a sense of safety and normality for residents at Berkeley House following a significant increase in anti-social behaviour in the building’s communal areas.

“We’re pleased that the order remains in place and is helping to provide reassurance to residents about the safety and security of their building.”

Curo is in conversations with the police about extending the closure order, which is due to expire on 1st October.

Regarding Pousson’s claim in court, Mr Snee said: “We have made numerous attempts to contact Ms Pousson to arrange a suitable time for her to collect her belongings from the property, but she has not answered or returned our calls.

“If Ms Pousson is currently homeless, we would encourage her to contact Bath & North East Somerset Council, which can provide support and help her secure suitable accommodation.”