Health Secretary’s neighbour contests ban

A NEAR-NEIGHBOUR of new health secretary Patricia Hewitt is to fight a bid by Camden Council to serve him with an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (Asbo) following complaints of unruly behaviour.
Graham Bourne, 36, arrived at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday morning wearing a suit and bowler hat to contest the Town Hall’s attempts to ban him from Rochester Square in Camden Town, where he has been sharing a flat with Ruth Gurny.
He is already banned from the square under the terms of an interim order but is now at the centre of a full-blown Asbo case which would make the temporary restriction permanent.
The civil proceedings have been brought by council lawyers following a series of complaints from residents in the street about his behaviour and that of his partner, Ms Gurny. Ms Hewitt is not thought to be one of the couple’s neighbours who have made a specific complaint.
The proceedings follow a meeting between residents, council officials and councillors last year to discuss concerns about the couple’s behaviour. It is understood worries centre around rows peppered with offensive language, intimidating fights in the streets, revving a motorbike inside the flat and loud music late at night.
But the latest stage of the court case was adjourned – for the fourth time – by District Judge James Henderson on Tuesday because paperwork had not been seen by the defence. Ms Gurny, who has already been served with an Asbo banning her from causing noise disturbance, is representing Mr Bourne.
Ms Gurny, a former lawyer for Hackney Council who is appealing against her own Asbo in the crown court later this year, told Tuesday’s hearing: “All of the allegations will be challenged. There are a number of issues involved. There will be lengthy cross-examination.”
She said that the case had been hit by delays because she had missed court dates as a result of “three life-threatening illnesses”. The case had been expected to take just one day in court time but the next hearing will now be listed for two days in October.