A MAN who gave evidence against three robbers now serving long sentences has been kicked out of his home.

York magistrates ordered that George Andrew Smith’s home in Hope Street be closed to everyone including himself for the next three months.

City of York Council applied for the premises closure order after neighbours complained that drug dealing was going on in the flat off Walmgate, leading to anti-social behaviour at all hours.

Mr Smith, 42, denied through his solicitor Lee-Anne Robins-Hicks that he was a drug dealer.

She said he had “courageously” been a prosecution witness against the trio that robbed him in his own home.

“Unhappily the ramifications for him are that he has been the victim of significant harassment and unfortunately that has centred upon his home address,” she said.

But he had not told police or the council about the harassment or asked to be rehoused until after the council told him that they intended to close his home.

Granting the order, magistrates said: “Neighbours have been frequently disturbed at all hours by people outside the property, in vehicles, and on bikes, and banging on the door.

“Frequently visitors appear to be under the influence of drugs when visiting the property for a period of time.”

Mr Smith was at the courthouse but was allowed to leave prior to the hearing because the medication he was taking made him very sleepy.

Mrs Hicks-Smith said he suffered from chronic pulmonary obstructive disease, depression and anxiety among other matters, had had a hip replacement, walked with a stick and needed a mobility scooter.

He had “drug issues” but had no convictions for drug dealing.

As part of their defence robbers Darren George Linsdell, 32, and Storm Amber Elliott, 19, both of no fixed address, claimed they bought drugs from Mr Smith, claims he denied under oath when he gave evidence against them.

Both were convicted of robbing him as was William Edward Howgego, 37, of Wycliffe Avenue, Tang Hall, at a separate trial.

The men are now serving eight years and Elliott five years.

At each trial Mr Smith said he had been subjected to harassment because he was helping the police.

During Linsdell and Elliott’s trial, the judge had to clear and close the public gallery because of the behaviour of supporters of the defendants.