NUISANCE neighbours who tormented residents on a York estate for years have been thrown out of their council home.

Relieved tenants today said the eviction of Paul Dobbin and his partner, Kelly Watson, from Fossway was "an early Christmas present".

City of York Council secured a court order to boot out the problem pair after they made neighbours' lives a "misery".

Now a few silent nights could be in the pipeline.

A council spokeswoman said complaints that poured in about the couple included allegations of threats and obscene abuse against other tenants, visitors swarming to the property into the early hours, and parties outside the flat into the early hours.

Other problems ranged from violent domestic arguments and loud music to untaxed cars parked on communal grass.

Despite repeated warnings, complaints were also made about a motorbike being noisily revved in the flat in the early hours, and a fence being ripped up and used for bonfire wood.

The couple - who owe the council more than £2,000 in unpaid rent and benefit overpayments claimed when Ms Watson was working - were officially booted out yesterday morning after four years in the street.

A council spokeswoman said she believed only Ms Watson was at the property when the eviction was carried out.

A wooden door was lying in the garden of the property when the Evening Press visited yesterday.

The entrance and three windows at the detached two-flat property were covered with metal barriers, put up by the council after the eviction.

A court order was secured to move the couple on December 7. Neither Ms Watson nor Mr Dobbin, convicted of amphetamine possession and dishonestly receiving stolen goods in July, attended the hearing.

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said she was delighted they were gone.

She said: "It's a nice early Christmas present, given what everyone around here has had to put up with over the years.

"I've only been here a few months, but things were very bad.

"The noise from them was ridiculous. Music woke you up in the middle of the night and there was shouting and screaming at all hours."

Another elderly resident said: "We've had a lot of problems. I'm glad they have gone."

A spokesman for the council's tenancy enforcement team said: "It is right the court immediately recognised the terrible bullying Dobbin's neighbours suffered.

"He made their lives unbearable with his foul language, threats and antisocial behaviour.

"It's also plain Watson joined in the parties and noise nuisance.

"As far as we're concerned both occupiers must accept their share of responsibility for the misery they've caused."

Updated: 09:24 Saturday, December 18, 2004