Evicted: Teenage yob who abused gay vicar

Rev Christopher Denton left his home of almost 20 years after he was tormented with homophobic insults and threats from next-door neighbour Alex Adams, 19.

The independent minister, who has lived with partner Alan for five years, said: "When he first moved in he didn't show his true colours, but it soon became clear what kind of person he really was.

"The music and parties were so loud people on the ninth floor were disturbed - he put nine double glazed windows in with his fists.

"We were verbally abused and called homophobic names by him and his friends. He tormented and terrorised everybody for months."

The final straw came when he asked Adams to turn down the music during a particularly loud party at the flats in Leeds, West Yorks., in June.

The minister was threatened and was so frightened he called the police who broke up the party.

He said: "Alex had driven us out of our own home and we were too shocked and terrified to go anywhere near him."

Adams, who moved into a first-floor flat in April 2009, drove three residents from their homes after a string of reported incidents, including violence, criminal damage and late-night parties with gangs of youths.

His reign of terror ended when he was evicted from the nine-storey block of flats, with a group of 16 witnesses arriving to give evidence about his bad behaviour at Leeds Magistrates Court.

Granting a premises closure order, District Judge David Kitson said: "There are some 31 complaints in total, ranging from loud music, abusive and vulgar language, violence and threats of violence against neighbours who have dared to complain.

"Large numbers of young people congregate at the premises at all hours, often in drink, creating such concern and fear for the residents that three of them have left the flats and are frightened to return whilst Mr Adams remains a threat."

Leeds City Council applied for the closure order after a string of complaints from neighbours, including intimidating behaviour from Adams and his visitors, who were accused of shouting lewd comments at schoolgirls and who once allegedly threw a fridge from the balcony.

The parties often escalated into violence between gangs of youths, and worried residents were forced to complain about screaming and swearing coming from the flat and damage caused to communal areas.

Adams, who lived with his brother Daniel, 24, attended the hearing but did not contest the application from Leeds City Council, which is also applying at Leeds County Court for possession of the flat.

After the hearing, Inspector Simon Jessup, of the north west inner neighbourhood policing team, said: "This is great news for residents. It is completely unacceptable for people to behave in (this) way.

"This case clearly shows the sort of action we can take alongside our partners in the council to bring a lasting long-term solution."