Antisocial behaviour order for unruly sisters

Two sisters who made their neighbours' lives a misery over a two-year period are now serving a four-year antisocial behaviour order.

Anat and Ora Pinhas of Cranley Gardens, Muswell Hill, were brought before Highgate Magistrates' Court last year after repeated attempts to persuade them to curb their behaviour failed.

The pair's antisocial behaviour included:

• Abusive and threatening language directed at neighbours and visitors
• Door slamming, stomping and banging
• Playing unacceptably loud music
• Shouting and screaming at their neighbours

Haringey Council's Antisocial Behaviour Action Team (ASBAT) first became involved in the case when the Pinhas made a complaint against their neighbour, falsely claiming that they were the victims of racist abuse. When officers investigated, they discovered that the sisters were in fact the culprits.

The sisters were asked to sign an Acceptable Behaviour Contract and, when they refused, the council's ASBAT issued them with a formal warning. However, their bad behaviour continued and the couple were eventually brought before the court.

Detailed diary notes of incidents and evidence from witnesses was put before the court, painting a picture of ongoing antisocial behaviour over many months.

In their ruling, magistrates found that the women had "carried out [the] intimidating behaviour, assaults, spitting, verbal abuse and general nuisance", and rejected assertions that they amounted to nothing more than a private dispute.

Under the terms of their Antisocial behaviour order, which runs until November 2016, Anat and Ora Pinhas are prohibited from:

• Using or threatening to use violence to their neighbour or visitors
• Causing a noise nuisance
• Using verbal or written abuse towards neighbours or visitors
• Shouting, spitting or throwing objects at their neighbours or visitors
• Filming, recording or taking photographs of their neighbours

Cllr Richard Watson, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: "The behaviour of these sisters over a prolonged period of time was shocking and I am pleased that the council's ASBAT team and the court were able to successfully intervene.

"Huge credit goes to the neighbours, who showed real courage and determination in piecing together evidence and taking a stand against this unacceptable behaviour.

"Our ASBAT team and our antisocial behaviour legal team will take action where necessary to protect innocent residents from becoming the target antisocial behaviour."