Stonehouse mum of eight gets ASBO

Jan 21 2010

AN interim ASBO has been slapped on a mum who was controversially re-housed under a project to assist ‘hell neighbours’.

Linda Begg was the THIRD member of her family to be issued with an ASBO.

The 46-year-old could face eviction if she breaches the terms of the Antisocial Behaviour Order imposed in December at Hamilton Sheriff Court.

Neighbours welcomed action against the single mum-of-eight but on Tuesday she told the Advertiser she intended to fight moves in court to make the interim order permanent.

Complaints of antisocial behaviour have dogged the Begg family since they moved to Stonehouse from Halfway, Cambuslang, four years ago.

In September, 2006, neighbours of Begg in Glenburn Avenue, Stonehouse, held a public meeting to complain about the noisy family’s drunken parties and fighting.

Twelve months later, Begg and six of her children, aged between six and 19, moved into a five-apartment house at 32 Violet Crescent, Stonehouse.

They were allocated the South Lanarkshire Council property through a pilot scheme called ‘Breaking the Cycle’ designed to help families moderate their antisocial behaviour.

Social workers tried to get the family to change their ways and they were given new equipment and furniture when they moved into the property.

However, it wasn’t long after the arrival of the Beggs that complaints about their behaviour began.

People living there told the Advertiser how the Beggs’ new home was used for drunken parties frequently ending in arguments and violence.

In 2008, three-year ASBOs were imposed on Linda Begg’s grown-up sons David (23) and 21-year-old Scott.

At that time, it was said that they were the “catalyst” for much of the trouble.

Under the terms of their ASBOs, they were excluded from the Violet Crescent property.

However, council sources have told the Advertiser that the steady stream of complaints against Linda Begg and those living at or visiting the house has continued.

People accuse her and her family of shouting and swearing and allowing visits to the house of large numbers of young people who have subsequently committed acts of disorder.

Police had regularly been called to the street to deal with complaints of drunkenness, noise, fighting and general disorder.

The court who imposed the ASBO against Linda Begg was also told of a complaint that she had supplied alcohol to young people visiting her home.

She was said to have shown a “complete disregard for her neighbours and for the peaceful enjoyment of their home”.

Under the terms of her interim ASBO, Linda Begg faces jail if she has her television or hi-fi too loud; shouts, swears or bangs doors; has more than two visitors at any one time; procures or supplies alcohol to a person under the age of 18, or permits or encourages others to engage in the above acts.