Judge slams estate as 'notorious' but residents come out fighting

GRIMSBY’S Nunsthorpe Estate has come out fighting after a judge and barrister slammed it as a violent place to live in court.

Residents have reacted furiously to comments made in a case involving an estate resident, who armed himself with a claw hammer in self-protection.

Barrister Gordon Stables claimed Nunsthorpe residents are too scared to report crime, adding: “Living on the Nunsthorpe Estate can be very difficult. It is a particularly notorious estate in Grimsby.”

And Recorder Paul Reid – who was sitting at court in Grimsby for the first time – said the area was “notorious for violence, for trouble, and for decent people being reluctant to come forward and complain”.

But the people of the estate – which is home to more than 2,400 residential houses – say community spirit there is second-to-none, and have invited Mr Stables and Mr Reid to see it for themselves.

Ward councillors Norma Lincoln, Doug Pickett and Sue Pickett are all smiles as they enjoy being on the Nunsthorpe Estate.

Coun Norma Lincoln (Lab, South), who lives on Laceby Road, said: “Unless they have lived on the Nunsthorpe, they can’t make comments like that. I have been a councillor for this ward for almost 14 years and the people here are brilliant.

“It was worse a couple of years ago, but now we have PCSOs, who have been a great help, and there are some wonderful facilities.

“Like any area, there are good people and bad people, but the bad are in the minority. There are lots of community groups all trying to make this area better than it was two years ago.”

Resident Chris Humpries (42), of Caistor Drive, said the estate’s community were there to help when his wife Jayne suffered an asthma attack.

He said: “Everybody helped us when we needed them to. It is a really tight community.

“Like anywhere, there is a bit of crime, but it is not as bad as people think. They should come and see it for themselves.”

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