Neighbour from hell finally evicted after using his garden as a scrap yard

13 April 2023 , 16:11

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Mark Peto made his neighbours' lives a 'misery' by using his home as a scrapyard (Image: Stroud District Council / SWNS)

A nightmare neighbour has finally been evicted after he dumped four tonnes of rubbish in his garden.

Mark Peto made his neighbours' lives a "misery" for several years by storing piles of rubbish and even offensive weapons around his council property in Stroud, Gloucestershire.

He effectively used the property and garden as a scrap yard, storing flammable materials in outside areas and refusing to clear it up despite requests.

Peto was formally evicted following a court hearing where Stroud District Council was granted a Possession Order for the property.

The process began in February 2022, Gloucester County Court granted a civil injunction order requiring Mr Peto to remove items from the property and garden.

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Piles of rubbish and even offensive weapons were found at the council property in Stroud, Gloucestershire (Stroud District Council / SWNS)

A power of arrest was later added to the order in May 2022, where police found and removed a cache of offensive weapons from the property, including axes.

The local authority eventually removed more than four tonnes of scrap metal from the rear garden, with council officers working with both the police and fire service personnel to try and manage the operation.

After careful consideration, the council made an application for possession, evicting Peto from the property.

The local authority eventually removed more than four tonnes of scrap metal from Peto's back garden (Stroud District Council / SWNS)

Neighbours had been left with the constant risk of flammable materials being stored against their homes, and found they were unable to sell up due to the eyesore.

But Peto was aggressive when approached at the property, and was sent to prison in June 2022 after breaching his injunction order by assaulting a council officer.

Local councillors have now said that the eviction had come as a "last resort", and was necessary due to the effect of the man's actions on his neighbours.

Peto was evicted and was sent to prison in June 2022 after breaching his injunction order by assaulting a council officer (Stroud District Council / SWNS)

Cllr Mattie Ross, Chair of Stroud District Council Housing Committee, said: "Over a prolonged period, Mark Peto inflicted misery on his neighbours with no thought or concern of his actions on others.

"Whilst we always use eviction as a last resort, the council had no option in this case but to apply to the courts for a warrant.

"This issue was finally resolved for the good of the community thanks to the hard work of all the agencies involved, for which I am very grateful."

Cllr Lucas Schoemaker, Vice Chair added: "We are committed to providing homes for our communities - we would like to thank the residents who came forward and gave evidence in this case and for the hard work and perseverance by council staff in what was a difficult and complex case."

Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas