Elderly Grimsby couple given Asbos for abusive and intimidating behaviour

TWO pensioners aged 85 and 71 have been given anti-social behaviour orders after making the lives of another couple a misery by repeatedly using abusive and intimidating behaviour.

They are easily the oldest people in the Grimsby area to be given Asbos – and are also among the oldest in the whole country.

Joseph Gallagher, 85, and Dorothy Womersley, 71, who live together off Laceby Road, Grimsby, have been given five-year Asbos.

The Asbos were imposed at Grimsby Magistrates' Court yesterday – and deputy district judge Helen Cousins told the couple that, despite their ages, she would send them both to prison if they appeared before her for a breach of the order. She said she believed that, from the evidence gathered, the pensioners had committed criminal offences.

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The couple are said to have targeted another family and to have repeatedly subjected them to abusive, insulting or intimidating language or behaviour, as well as other incidents including causing damage to property.

The Asbo applications were brought as a final resort by the police and North East Lincolnshire Council after the couple apparently rebuffed repeated attempts to deal with the matter informally.

It is believed they had been warned by the police about their behaviour. The council had offered to provide mediation but, although the other family agreed, the pensioners are thought to have refused.

Defence solicitor Ed Bates, representing the couple in court, did not oppose the Asbos.

Following the court hearing, Councillor Dave Bolton, portfolio holder for community safety and neighbourhoods, said: "The Asbo was applied for as a final resort.

"We hope that it will serve as a very strong reminder about what is and is not acceptable behaviour.

"As a local authority, we have an obligation to take action to protect the community. We hope that both Mr Gallagher and Mrs Womersley will reflect on this and will refrain from the activities contained within the Asbo."

Spencer Hunt, North East Lincolnshire Council's manager for safer and stronger communities, added: "It's unfortunate that it has come to this point, but all efforts to make them change their behaviour by other means have failed.

"If the couple fail to conform to what is now legally expected of them, they know full well what the consequences will be."

Antisocial behaviour co-ordinator Paul Condon said: "It's unfortunate that we have had to take the action we have.

I hope the order granted will mean that the lives of both families may now return to normal."

Andy Everett, Humberside Police's crime reduction manager, described the couple's behaviour as "abusive, intimidating and insulting".

Conditions of the Asbo ban Joseph Gallagher and Dorothy Womersley from:

Contacting, attempting to contact or communicating with the family directly or indirectly, personally or via a third party, including by sending a message to be delivered by another person (except via a solicitor) or by letter, telephone or any other means.

Entering the family's property, including the rear and front gardens as well as any outbuildings.

Throwing any object which may cause damage or harm to either person or property in North East Lincolnshire.