Peeping resident may be evicted

A nightmare neighbour who spied on his teenage next-door neighbour through self-made holes in the ceiling could be evicted from his Halesowen home.

The Express & Star revealed yesterday Michael Smith, aged 47, of New John Street, had been found guilty of breaching an anti-social behaviour order which prevents him from harassing neighbours earlier this week.

Now his landlord Black Country Housing and Community Services confirmed they are to look at his behaviour and have not ruled out the possibility of evicting Smith.

Housing manager Ramesh Malhan said the issue could go to the county court. "We are aware of that tenant and we have been investigating these matters.

"We will review matters."

Mr Malhan added: "We have a duty to the public to utilise the powers that we have got, and on the basis of what happened at court, if we have got to get him out we could take that action."

Halesowen Magistrates heard Smith crawled into his next-door-neighbour's attic and making holes in her teenage daughter's bedroom with a screwdriver.

He also installed a camera in his garden pointing at the back of his neighbour's house.

He is to be sentenced on November 7.