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Music fan threatened with eviction
A BUDDY Holly fan looks set to lose his home for playing his music too loudly on his guitar.
But defiant Malcolm Roberts, 59, is refusing to tone down the jam sessions in his Leeds flat, telling authorities: "That'll be the day when I die."
Leeds Federated Housing Association has taken legal moves to evict Mr Roberts after neighbours in Wensleydale Crescent, Armley sent in a petition.
The grandfather-of-six has until December 9 to leave the first floor flat or face being taken to court, but he says he will not move.
Mr Roberts, a busker in Leeds City Centre, told the YEP he felt victimised: "I've been playing the guitar since I was 14 and there is no way I'm going to stop now.
"I can't understand why anyone has a problem. During the summer I used to sit in the garden on hot days and play a few songs and I get all this hassle.
"I have suffered a stroke and playing the guitar is one of the few pleasures I have left."
But residents in the street claim his acoustic sessions disturb the whole street, often turning into drunken rants in which he makes up abusive songs about his neighbours.
One person living in the street: "This used to be a nice peaceful place until he came to live here. These homes are mainly for elderly people and there is no way people should have to put up with his abuse.
"We have been keeping a diary about the way he carries on at all hours of the day and night. He is making people ill."
The former mechanic has been given notice from the housing federation after he breached an acceptable behaviour contract signed in July this year.
Mr Roberts moved in in July 2005 after leaving London to be nearer his family.
Mr Roberts says he will try to hang on to his home and has no plans to get rid of his three acoustic guitars.
He added: "I've had to pawn my Fender Stratocaster to pay the water bill. I've got a good mind to go get it back and plug it into the amp because this is making me more determined than ever to go on playing.
"They are just ganging up on me because I'm an old cockney rocker."
Stephen Blundell, head of neighbourhoods for Leeds Federated Housing, said: "We have a history of complaints about Mr Roberts's conduct and have tried to find a constructive way of dealing with it.
"He signed an acceptable behaviour contract but further complaints were made which resulted in the police becoming involved.
"We will have to demonstrate to the court that the allegations are substantial but this is not a done deal by any means."
The YEP revealed in August that Diane Duffin, 36, had her music equipment seized after complaints of Dolly Parton songs blasting from her home in Heights Drive, Bramley.
Last month a judge gave the mother-of-four a 12-month anti-social behaviour injunction and warned she could lose her home if she fails to comply with her tenancy conditions.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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