A YORK family of six were made homeless this afternoon after bailiffs evicted them over antisocial behaviour.

A York judge gave Ian Horner, his partner, Julie Grimes, and her four children until 10.30am to leave their council home in Mowbray Drive, Acomb, after they ignored a possession notice issued by City of York Council in October.

Bailiffs flanked by police arrived at the house today to find that the couple had not moved out, and were therefore trespassing.

An emotional Mr Horner, 34, refused to leave at first, speaking to his solicitor on the phone.

"I have done nowt wrong," he said.

"I am been victimised because I am a big bloke. Every other resident is willing to back me up. I have friends on this estate and the kids have settled in school."

Steve Waddington, the council's assistant director of housing, went into the house to talk to the family emerging, at about 11.30am to let the bailiffs enter.

"We don't like evicting anyone at any time of year," he said.

"But we have a responsibility to the wider community. If they had heeded the court's word they would not be in this position."

Mr Waddington said that the council was legally obliged to find the newly-homeless family temporary accommodation and this was likely to be at a bed and breakfast hotel.

Neighbours of the family watched events unfold from their doorways and windows. There were mixed opinions about the eviction.

Phillip Burns, 22, said: "They looked after us, they even offered to cook us Christmas dinner and Julie used to cook for me all the time. They have been very good friends to us."

Chris Baker, 27, whose mother, Doreen Thackrey, lives in the street, said he knew that a number of neighbours had had problems with Mr Horner, but he disagreed with the pre-Christmas eviction.

"We are not pleased that they are leaving at this time of year. It's a bit heavy-handed," he said.

"He just got off to a bad start, but had calmed down recently. The kids are fine, they play with my seven-year-old."

Eleven residents in Mowbray Drive and Viking Road had signed a petition against the family's eviction, which neighbour Maureen Karatas hoped to hand to York MP Hugh Bayley.

The petition argued that the family should be allowed to stay, particularly as their children were settled.

Updated: 14:41 Wednesday, December 22, 2004