Injunction served against disruptive couple in rural village

Eva Haynes-Wass and Reece Dixon of Kneesall, were served the injunction following a catalogue of significant verbal abuse and threatening behaviour by the couple against other members of the community.

Incidents also include assault committed against a nearby neighbour which resulted in Eva Haynes-Wass pleading guilty to the offence and being handed a 12-month community order, which requires probation monitoring.

In a joint effort, Newark and Sherwood District Council Anti-Social Behaviour and Housing teams worked together with Nottinghamshire Police have taken decisive action to support the local community of Kneesall who have suffered significantly due to this shocking behaviour.

On 18 July 2024, the Council secured an injunction that will last two years until 18 July 2026 on Eva Haynes-Wass and Reece Dixon, forbidding them from using or threatening to use violence against any person residing, visiting or otherwise engaged in lawful activity in Kneesall village. They are also forbidden from threatening to engage or engaging in conduct which includes the use or threatened use of violence against any officer agent or Newark and Sherwood District Council officer.

They are also banned from having contact with a number of individuals that they have brought significant distress to.  

A power of arrest is attached to this term, enabling the police to arrest either individual should they break this injunction, and they can be sent to prison for up to 2 years and/or fined. 

The District Council will continue to monitor the situation and have the power to take further action if necessary.

Councillor Paul Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and Community Relations at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “Kneesall is a small rural village, and this couple have brought great misery to the people there. Behaviour like this can greatly impact small communities and by working in partnership with Nottinghamshire Police and serving this injunction, we’re able to provide the village some much needed relief.

“We are once again showing we do not tolerate anti-social behaviour like this, and the safety of nearby residents is our top priority.

“We are committed to clamping down on ASB and criminal behaviour and we will continue our successful partnership working with the Police to ensure our reach is wide and our resources are strengthened.

“I also urge anyone who witnesses or experiences ASB to report it to Nottinghamshire Police or the District Council, so that we can take appropriate action."

Councillor Lee Brazier, Portfolio Holder for Housing at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “This behaviour is completely unacceptable in our district and as landlord, we do not allow tenants to treat other members of their community like this.

“We are dedicated to ensuring such behaviours do not go unpunished which is why our Housing and Anti-Social Behaviour team have worked in partnership with the Police to take action. We will not tolerate anti-social behaviour in our district, and we will take further action when necessary.”

Inspector Charlotte Ellam, District Commander for Newark and Sherwood, said: “I have no doubt the issuing of this injunction will make a real difference in helping us crackdown on the catalogue of threatening behaviour linked to these two individuals.

“Our hope is that this action – made possible by the joint efforts of our policing team and Newark and Sherwood District Council – will help provide some welcome to relief to the Kneesall community.

“The order carries a power of arrest, and residents should rest assured that we will take positive action in response to any behaviour that breaches this.

“ASB can have a hugely detrimental impact towards how people feel about where they live, which is why we dedicate so much of our time to try and reduce this type of offending in our communities.”

Newark and Sherwood District Council is committed to tackling criminal and anti-social behaviour across the district and other enforcement action has also taken place on the Yorke Drive estate in Newark which includes Closure Warnings and Community Protection Warnings.

Anyone who wishes to report ASB can speak to our ASB team or if a social housing tenant, our housing teams can help, in confidence, about any issues or concerns you may have. To register an ASB complaint contact the District Council or use the online ASB reporting form.

If a crime is in progress or life is in danger, you should dial 999. To report non-urgent anti-social behaviour contact the police on 101.