by DAVID BROWN

ædbrown@london.newsquest.co.uk

A mother has been compensated after being confronted by a violent neighbour who had been jailed for threatening her with a samurai sword.

Mistakes by Brent Council meant eight months pregnant Sarah Seisay was forced to live in a flat beneath the convicted armed robber after he was released from prison.

Police had advised the council to rehouse Ms Seisay, 28, and her one-year-old son because they feared for her safety when Robert Francis was jailed for threatening to kill her because she complained about his loud music.

Ms Seisay, who now lives in Sudbury, has been paid £1,000 compensation by the council following an investigation by Local Government Ombudsman Edward Osmotherly.

ñIt was an horrendous moment when I realised he had come back,î said Ms Seisay. ñI just broke down and cried. ñI couldnÍt go out because I was scared I would meet him. Brent Council left me an my children in a very vulnerable situation.

ñEven though I was heavily pregnant I had to sleep on the floor of the living room because the music from the flat above was so loud. While he was enjoying himself, I was left to suffer. I would go to bed crying because I had no idea when this was going to end.

'The police told me he was considered very dangerous and the council officers said they were too scared to visit him, yet I had to live below him. I have had to move to a housing association accommodation so have lost the right to buy the flat from the council which I planned so my family had a secure future.î

Mr Francis had written to the council from his prison cell requesting to end the tenancy on his flat as he wanted to move into a probation hostel when released. But officers replied that if he gave up the flat it would have no obligation to rehouse him, so he dropped the request.

When he returned to the flat in March last year, Ms Seisay was placed in bed-and-breakfast accommodation for her own safety, but it was totally unsuitable for a newly born baby and she had to return home. She then spent a further two months in her flat until council officers finally found her a housing association home.

BrentÍs director of housing Helen Evans said: ñWe regret the distress that this tenant suffered and have changed our procedures for dealing with this type of case.

ñAs part of the service review by housing management, the council is considering introducing specialist teams to deal with this kind of nuisance and harassment.

ñThe object of this is that any tenant in these circumstances will be dealed with by an officer with expert knowledge in the field.

Council left mother at mercy of sword-wielding neighbour

by DAVID BROWN

ædbrown@london.newsquest.co.uk

A mother has been compensated after being confronted by a violent neighbour who had been jailed for threatening her with a samurai sword.

Mistakes by Brent Council meant eight months pregnant Sarah Seisay was forced to live in a flat beneath the convicted armed robber after he was released from prison.

Police had advised the council to rehouse Ms Seisay, 28, and her one-year-old son because they feared for her safety when Robert Francis was jailed for threatening to kill her because she complained about his loud music.

Ms Seisay, who now lives in Sudbury, has been paid £1,000 compensation by the council following an investigation by Local Government Ombudsman Edward Osmotherly.

ñIt was an horrendous moment when I realised he had come back,î said Ms Seisay. ñI just broke down and cried. I couldnÍt go out because I was scared I would meet him. Brent Council left me and my children in a very vulnerable situation.

ñEven though I was heavily pregnant I had to sleep on the floor of the living room because the music from the flat above was so loud. While he was enjoying himself, I was left to suffer. I would go to bed crying because I had no idea when this was going to end.

'The police told me he was considered very dangerous and the council officers said they were too scared to visit him, yet I had to live below him. I have had to move to a housing association accommodation so have lost the right to buy the flat from the council which I planned so my family had a secure future.î

Mr Francis had written to the council from his prison cell requesting to end the tenancy on his flat as he wanted to move into a probation hostel when released. But officers replied that if he gave up the flat it would have no obligation to rehouse him, so he dropped the request.

When he returned to the flat in March last year, Ms Seisay was placed in bed-and-breakfast accommodation for her own safety, but it was totally unsuitable for a newly born baby and she had to return home. She then spent a further two months in her flat until council officers finally found her a housing association home.

BrentÍs director of housing Helen Evans said: ñWe regret the distress that this tenant suffered and have changed our procedures for dealing with this type of case.

ñAs part of the service review by housing management, the council is considering introducing specialist teams to deal with this kind of nuisance and harassment.

ñThe object of this is that any tenant in these circumstances will be dealed with by an officer with expert knowledge in the field.