Broomleigh vow zero tolerance to drugs following eviction

A HOUSING association has evicted a woman after £1,600 worth of cocaine, cannabis and amphetamine was found at her home.

Broomleigh Housing Association warned it would not tolerate drugs in its communities following the eviction of tenant Jolene Mawhinney, aged 31, from her home in Upton Court, Blean Grove home in Penge on 1 August.

Croydon County Court granted a 14 day outright possession order on the property on 2 July after hearing knives, swords, crossbows and a bayonet were found at the address along with a quantity of drugs following a police raid in February.

The tenant’s 33-year-old brother Martin Mawhinney, who was arrested following the police raid, pleaded guilty to possessing a Class B drug and Class C drug at Greenwich Magistrates Court on March 1.

Although Ms Mawhinney was not convicted of any drug offences, the tenancy agreement stated a tenant must not allow visitors to use the property for any illegal or immoral purpose.   She was also more than £1600 in arrears.

Vanesa Antar, Broomleigh Housing Association’s assistant director of tenancy services, said:  “We will not tolerate drugs in our communities.  Eviction is always a last resort but in this case the judge stated there was clear evidence of ongoing drug dealing and associated nuisance to the wider community.

“This is a victory for the Safer Bromley partnership and an excellent example of the police, the courts and ourselves working together to make the community safer for our residents.”

The Safer Bromley Partnership is committed to improving the quality of life for everyone who lives and works in the borough by working in partnership with agencies including the police, Broomleigh Housing Association and Bromley Council.  

The police and Broomleigh Housing Association have worked closely together throughout the case - with Broomleigh supporting the police in securing a crack house closure on the property at Bromley Magistrates Court and the police providing evidence in support of our possession proceedings.

Sergeant Rob Goodwin, head of the Penge and Cator Safer Neighbourhood Team said: "The Penge and Cator Safer Neighbourhood Team, working in conjunction with Broomleigh Housing and the Safer Bromley Partnership, have reacted to local residents concerns and closed this premises which was causing untold misery in the area.  The closure of the premises and subsequent eviction of the tenants should demonstrate to people the severe consequences of a decision to use a premises as a drugs den.  This was an excellent result for our community".