A NIGHTMARE neighbour has finally been evicted from his York home – just in time to prevent him moving back in when released from prison.

Residents have been praised for courageously supporting police and City of York Council in securing the eviction of Michael Purnell from a council flat in Melbourne Street, off Fishergate.

It is understood Purnell is due out of prison on Thursday. The authorities intend to negotiate with probation officers for him to go to an alternative address.

Fishergate councillor Dave Taylor said Purnell, 44, was a convicted drug dealer who had been making life intolerable for people living nearby, but council officers had had a “devil of a job” to get the courts to uphold an eviction notice.

Coun Taylor said: “It’s been a long haul since July last year when residents brought this problem to the council and police asking for help.

“Officers have been tireless in trying to stop the menace of drug-dealing, only hampered by slow progress through the legal system. I know that residents will breathe a sigh of relief at this news.”

Local residents have told how people visiting Purnell’s flat for drugs had made their life hell, and thanked council officials for their support. One woman said visitors had vomited and thrown hypodermic needles into her garden.

She said: “It was hell, it was a nightmare and it took a long time to clear up.

“People were banging on my window at two in the morning threatening to kick my head in if they did not get their drugs.

“On one occasion they were banging on my window and my boyfriend opened the door and there was a young girl in a terrible state. She shouted at him, ‘Where’s Mick, where’s the smack?’.”

Another resident said: “The traffic to his home was the worst part – they were in and out constantly.”

Coun Dafydd Williams, the council’s cabinet member for Crime and Stronger Communities, said Purnell’s eviction had been secured thanks to local people, the police and council working together.

He said: “Residents have courageously supported the partnership while enduring a catalogue of damage and disruption to the property and the neighbourhood.”

As well as disturbing and distressing local people, visitors to the house had caused hundreds of pounds-worth of damage.

Police had visited on several occasions and Class B and C drugs and stolen goods were recovered, leading to a conviction for Purnell.

Coun Williams said the flat had been boarded up, but could now be re-let to new council tenants.

He said: “City of York Council and its partners will not tolerate antisocial behaviour.”