A NUISANCE neighbour who tormented residents with drunken behaviour has been evicted from a York council flat.

John Tanner was forced to leave his property in Wains Road, Dringhouses, after dozens of complaints and warnings about late night noise and threatening behaviour.

Terrified neighbour Linda Coates, who has taken out a court injunction forbidding him to go within 50 metres of her flat, said today it was the end of four years of torment.

Neil McFarlane, a City of York Council tenancy enforcement manager, served the eviction order on Mr Tanner following a court hearing.

He was forced to leave on the grounds of rent arrears and nuisance behaviour.

Mr McFarlane said they were left with no choice.

He said: "There's a long and unfortunate history associated with Mr Tanner.

"We've had numerous complaints from neighbours. More often than not he would have drunken parties, make threats and constantly shout out of the window.

"His flat is in a desperate condition - barely habitable."

Mr Tanner was reported to have made an obscene gesture and urinated in front of pensioners outside a nursing home near his flat, Mr McFarlane said.

Mrs Coates, 31, who lived below him, said her Staffordshire terrier JJ was driven "wild" by the constant noise and banging.

The dog ripped up three of her carpets and chewed off several door handles.

She told the Evening Press: "I'm over the moon he has gone.

"Hopefully I'll get some peace and quiet at last after nearly four years.

"I had a party with all my neighbours when he left.

"He sums up the phrase 'neighbour from hell'. I have complained to the police and council dozens of times.

"I've lost count how many times he threatened me from his window.

"We all used to dread Thursdays because that's when he picked up his Giro cheque and bought bottles of cider.

"For the first time in years I can let JJ outside on his own without something being thrown at him."

The Evening Press was unable to contact Mr Tanner for comment.

Updated: 09:17 Wednesday, July 17, 2002