Assaults, intimidation and extreme fly-tipping: Notorious traveller family banned from Sandwell parks

John Cassidy has been told he must not enter the borough under any circumstances. If he does, he faces jail.

Thirteen other members of his family have been banned from setting up unauthorised camps anywhere in the borough.

Members of the family have been responsible for anti-social behaviour including assaults, large scale disorder, threats, intimidation, criminal damage and fly-tipping across Sandwell.

Now councillors have said enough is enough and obtained an injunction against the 14 members.

The injunction also bans them from fly-tipping or damaging barriers anywhere in Sandwell.

Council Leader Steve Eling, said: “The Cassidy family have caused anti-social behaviour, threatened council and police officers, intimidated residents and fly-tipped on sites around Sandwell for some time.

“This injunction is a message to the Cassidys and other groups who set up unauthorised encampments that we will not tolerate this behaviour.”

Council bosses were supported by West Midlands Police in securing the injunction from His Honour Judge McKenna at the High Court of Justice in Birmingham.

The court heard that the group, along with more than 40 caravans and vehicles, set up camp on sites in West Bromwich, Wednesbury, Tipton, Oldbury and Smethwick more than 25 times between June 2014 and August 2016.

Parks, business estates, car parks and playing fields were all targeted – often with human waste and tons of rubbish left behind once the group were moved on.

The head of the family, 44-year-old John Cassidy, is now banned from the whole of Sandwell, while the rest of the family are prohibited from setting up unauthorised encampments, causing damage to barriers and fly-tipping anywhere in Sandwell.

In addition to the order on the Cassidy family, the injunction also bans unauthorised encampments on 17 council sites regularly targeted by groups with caravans.

Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and investment, Councillor Paul Moore, added: “Unauthorised encampments cause misery for residents, cost the council thousands of pounds a year and take up valuable police time and resources.

“This injunction is the latest in a series of actions we’re taking to prevent and remove unauthorised encampments.”

Sites named in the injunction:

• Kent Road Open Space, Friar Park, Wednesbury

• Millenium Park, Friar Park Road, Wednesbury

• Sandy Lane Open Space, Friar Park, Wednesbury

• Blakeley Wood Road, Tipton

• Land off Dartmouth Street, Greets Green, West Bromwich

• Shaftesbury House car park, High Street, West Bromwich

• Churchfields Playing Fields, Newton Road, West Bromwich

• Wyntor Lane Open Space, West Bromwich

• Crookhay Lane / Chester Road Open Space, West Bromwich

• Meadow Avenue Open Space, West Bromwich

• Greets Green Recreational Ground, Claypit Lane, West Bromwich

• Ridgacre Industrial Estate, Ridgacre Road, West Bromwich

• Lion Farm Playing Fields, Newbury Lane, Oldbury

• West Smethwick Park, Victoria Road, Smethwick

• Harry Mitchell Park, Coopers Lane, Smethwick

• Black Patch Park, Foundry Lane, Smethwick

• Tame Road Playing Fields, Brandhall Oldbury