NEIGHBOURS of nightmare Clifton resident Jane Elcock breathed a sigh of relief as the young mum was finally kicked out of her home.

Elcock's obnoxious behaviour finally led to her being ordered out of the house in Imperial Court at a hearing last month.

But when council housing officers turned up to carry out the eviction yesterday, she had already left.

Last month's court hearing heard that Elcock's home was a magnet for gangs of youths, who repeatedly hurled abuse at those who challenged them.

Loud music blaring from the house day and night also made locals' lives a misery.

The ordeal of one neighbour, who has now been re-located by the council, even culminated with a paving slab being thrown through his window - though the culprit has never been caught.

One local shopkeeper said Elcock's behaviour had made life "horrendous" for those living nearby.

She said she was "really pleased" the loud 22-year-old had finally left.

"It's going to be absolutely brilliant for everyone round here," she said. "I think everyone complained about her."

Another nearby resident told how "gangs of lads" had constantly congregated in Elcock's garden.

Elcock was given a final warning to improve her ways after a court handed her a suspended possession order last year, when the landlord, the Tees Valley Housing Group, brought her case to court. A county court judge ruled in July that as her behaviour had not got better, she should leave her home.

A City of York Council spokeswoman said: "The council will not tolerate anti social behaviour by tenants and we have worked closely with Tees Valley Housing to put an end to the unacceptable behaviour by Ms Elcock and her guests.

"Eviction is always the last resort and we have tried to work with Ms Elcock to improve the situation, but with little success. Her behaviour will mean that she will be unable to apply for a place on the council's housing list for at least two years."

Stewart Tagg, head of housing for Tees Valley Housing, said: "We're very happy to have resolved a difficult situation. I'm very pleased with the commitment and skills of York city centre officers in dealing with a very sensitive issue.

"We won't hesitate to go down the same road if anyone else follows in Ms Elcock's footsteps."

Council housing chiefs went into Elcock's former home yesterday to make it secure so she could not return.

Updated: 09:41 Saturday, August 20, 2005