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Aug 5 2010 by Kate Forrester, Skelmersdale Advertiser

A SKELMERSDALE man has been evicted from his council flat after turning it into a cannabis factory.

West Lancashire Council began proceedings against Anthony Nixon, formerly of Blakehall, Digmoor, in June after he was convicted of producing cannabis, possessing a class A drug and bypassing the electricity meter at his home.

Wigan County Court ruled that the council should be allowed to regain possession of the flat and the 21-year-old was thrown out, despite representations by homelessness charity Shelter.

Housing chiefs took over control of the flat again last week.

Cllr Val Hopley, the authority’s portfolio holder for housing, said: “This case sends out a clear warning that the council will not allow its properties to be used for criminal activities.

“This type of behaviour is totally unacceptable and he should not be surprised that we have taken action against him.

“Council tenants who use their homes for any type of illegal activities should be warned that when they are caught they should also expect to be evicted.”

For the criminal offences, Nixon was sentenced to a six-month community order with supervision at Ormskirk Magistrates Court in May.

He was later ordered to carry out 20 hours unpaid work after failing to comply with the order.

West Lancashire Council chiefs said he had been renting the flat as part of a 12-month introductory tenancy, meaning any breaches of the agreement would result in his eviction.

When police, alongside the council’s anti-social behaviour team, raided the second-floor flat in January this year, officers found the bedroom had been converted into a hydroponic cultivation unit with 25 plants and Nixon had been sleeping in the living room.

A quantity of cocaine was also found in three parcels wrapped in cling film, along with digital weighing scales.

Nixon had also interfered with the electricity meter to avoid paying for the power he was using – sparking a risk of fire for himself and other tenants.

Cllr Hopley added: “Not only was he using his home to manufacture illegal drugs, but he put the lives of his neighbours at risk by bypassing the electricity meter.

“This is a criminal offence and could have started a serious fire.

“Officers from the council’s anti-social behaviour unit worked hard alongside Lancashire Police to carry out this warrant and should be praised for their efforts in keeping other residents in the area safe.”

Inspector Susan Swift, Skelmersdale area commander, said: “This is an excellent example of Lancashire Constabulary and West Lancashire Borough Council working together in order to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in Skelmersdale.

“This positive partnership approach shows that criminality and anti-social behaviour should not and will not be tolerated.”

Anyone with information about criminal or anti-social behaviour in their area should contact the neighbourhood policing team in Skelmersdale on 01695 566051 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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