Get out!

Swindon County Court heard yesterday how the 62-year-old had breached an injunction banning him from abusing and threatening fellow residents and the warden of David Stoddart Gardens, in Gorse Hill.

Francis Maples, the solicitor for Swindon Council which owns the home, showed the court a petition signed by 50 residents, which backed Kevan Colanis, the warden of the 100-strong home.

Mr Maples said many of the residents aged in their 80s and 90s have been left traumatised by Mr Lewis's behaviour, which included verbal threats and sexually-explicit rants.

Lewis, who has no fingers on one hand and is partially sighted, moved into the accommodation last April.

The court heard he had broken the court order just two days after it was passed on February 16.

It had prohibited him from causing a nuisance to others, using an intercom system except in an emergency, or abusing Swindon Council housing officers on the phone or in person.

The court heard that an elderly male resident had suffered a stomach haemorrhage but was unable to muster immediate help from staff, because Mr Lewis had bombarded the intercom, which links individual flats to Mr Colanis's office, with vile abuse.

"An elderly neighbour, who is described as tiny and frail, heard all the abusive calls she was extremely distraught," said Mr Maples.

Mr Lewis, who was representing himself, admitted the breaches, but insisted Mr Colanis was to blame.

"It is a clash of personalities," said Mr Lewis, who said most of his £113 weekly income went on alcohol and pub meals.

"This whole case is a farce. I am being fitted up by the warden," he said.

Returning to his seat after giving evidence in the witness box, Mr Lewis growled at Mr Colanis, forcing Judge Michael Harington to warn him that he faced being thrown out of the courtroom for contempt if he continued.

Rheumatoid arthritis sufferer Maria Hoy, 41, who has been a resident at the home for three years, appeared as a council witness.

Miss Hoy said: "His threats really shook me up. One day he charged into Mr Colanis's office and started shouting and swearing at him. I don't know how the warden kept his cool."

Summing up, Judge Harington said he had little option but to show him the door. "I accept that Mr Lewis's conduct has upset other residents and that the injunction has been breached," he said.

"In order to protect other residents I have to exclude the defendant from the accommodation for a period of three months."

During this period, the council's housing team hope to push through a possession order making the ban permanent.

Meanwhile, Mr Lewis has the option of returning to his own house in Caulfield Road, Gorse Hill, which he described as inhabitable or applying for emergency accommodation.

Speaking outside court, Mr Colanis said: "It is a sad case and we have tried hard to stop it getting to this stage.

"Our main concern is the 100 other residents. Their peace and security has been compromised."

Mr Maples said: "Ultimately, Mr Lewis was the author of his own misfortune."

Kevin Shoesmith