A FAMILY from hell that was made homeless after 300 anti-social incidents, 12
injunctions, three prison sentences and two evictions have demanded a new
council house.
The notorious Birch clan got a joint ASBO after subjecting neighbours to seven
years of fighting, shouting and swearing.
They were evicted from their first home – only to be kicked out of their next
less than a year later after complaints about yet more disorder.
The family – dad Michael, 69, partner Jane Beard, 52, and daughters Trudie,
28, and Ellen, 22, – are now homeless and living in an abandoned building.
But despite their appalling history the shameless family are pleading for once
last chance to change – and begging for another council-funded home.
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Jane said: “I’ve never hurt nobody and I’m really sorry it got to this
stage.
“I would really like another chance to correct it all.”
Trudie added: “I want the council to find us a warm place to live.”
The family moved into a housing association home in Podsmead, Gloucester, in
2008 where they terrorised neighbours.
They were given a joint ASBI – an anti social behaviour injunction – in
January 2015 after being accused of window smashing, keeping problem pets,
foul language and fighting.
Boyfriends Robert Edward, 26, and Jonathan Ward, 25, were also banned from the
council flat.
It was the first time the rare injunction – like an ASBO aimed at housing
tenants – had been issued in the UK for five years.
The Birchs accused their neighbours of being ‘petty’ but they were evicted
later last year after their appalling behaviour continued.
The family – who at one point owned three snakes, five bearded dragons, six
cats, a budgie and some goldfish – moved to a home two miles away nearer the
city centre.
But their bad behaviour apparently continued and they were given interim ASBIs
in October 2015 to protect their new neighbours from shouting and rude
gestures.
Two months later they were turfed out of their second home and last week
Michael and his daughters were found guilty in their absence of breaching
the interim orders.
The trio also had their orders extended to cover the entire city, and will be
sentenced for the breaches next month.
Jane said: “We were at court because we were accused of shouting, loud
music, slamming doors and having the TV loud, and the boys fighting all the
time.
“The antisocial behaviour has only ever been between ourselves.”
All three have previously served jail sentences for their behaviour, while
Jane has been given a suspended prison sentence.
For the first time an immediate power of arrest was also attached to the
order, which bans them from shouting, causing a nuisance or making rude
gestures.
The latest ruling, granted by Gloucester County Court is the latest in a
string of actions taken against the family, which also included 12
injunctions.
At the hearing on Thursday, Victoria Fennell, of Gloucester City Homes said
the interim order only covered their previous home, which they were forced
out of on December 8.
She said: “There have been threats of violence and an instance of the
next door neighbour’s property being broken into.
“They are causing chaos across the city.”
She said a garage which the family had been offered to live in had been set on
fire and Jane had been refusing to leave Michael’s side after a recent stay
in hospital.
The court also heard their abuse by some family members had continued despite
them being homeless.
Charlotte Newman from Gloucester City Homes added: “The situation has
escalated since eviction.
“They are coming to the attention of various members of the public due to
having no fixed abode.
“They are becoming a massive problem across the city.”
Miss Newman said several homeless charities had made complaints about the
behaviour of family members at soup kitchens and lunch clubs.
“At one lunch club Mr Birch threatened to snap the leg of a homeless
man’s dog,” she said.
Judge David Hebblethwaite said the extended order was needed to protect the
public and added: “It is in the interests of the citizens of
Gloucester.
“Anyone could be affected by their ongoing behaviour.”
The family and their pet Staffordshire bull terrier Jacko are now living in an
empty building in Gloucester city centre, but have been told by police they
need to move on.
Trudie begged the council to help her parents, who are both in wheelchairs.
She said: “I need to have somewhere to look after my mum and dad
properly.
“My dad’s been in hospital and it was touch and go with him one night.
“We had to get him to the bus station to and a phone to get an ambulance
for him.
“He has double pneumonia and is on 28 tablets a day.”
The three will be sentenced for breaching the previous interim order on
February 3.
The family will be back in court to on February 10 to contest the original
terms of the injunction.
City wide anti-social behaviour service Project Solace said there have been
more than 300 incidents of antisocial behaviour committed by the family.
Co-ordinator Phil Connor said their abuse included burgling a neighbour’s home
after they were evicted from their second house.
He said: “During this time they have been offered help, support and
housing by many agencies but have refused to engage with any of them.
“We hope this latest action will convince the family to ac- cess help and
end their anti- social behaviour.
“Our main aim is to help ensure the safety of the citizens and visitors
to our city.
“We will not hesitate to take further legal action if required.”