Injunction for racist woman who made threats to kill her neighbour’s children

A Salford woman who threatened to kill her neighbour’s children has been banned from going anywhere near their home.

Housing association Salix Homes sought legal action against tenant Rita Heaton, of Rigby Street, Higher Broughton, following the racially motivated attack, which took place on the evening of July 14 this year.

A court hearing at Manchester Civil Justice Centre heard how Heaton, aged 62, entered the front garden of a neighbour’s property brandishing a knife, where three young children were sat on a trampoline.

The children fled into the house and Heaton was confronted by a neighbour.

She then launched a racist tirade at her neighbour threatening to kill his children and shouting at him to ‘go back to your own country’, before slashing the trampoline with the knife.

The victim said the incident left him fearing for his and his family’s safety.

The court also heard how during another incident on June 30, Heaton entered her neighbour’s property, threw their washing on to the floor which was hanging in the garden, before punching her neighbour’s teenage son in the face.

Both incidents were reported to Greater Manchester Police.

The court granted Salix Homes a 12 month Injunction Order, with Power of Arrest, the terms of which prevent Heaton from entering her neighbour’s property in Rigby Street or threatening them with violence.

Sue Sutton, executive director of operations, at Salix Homes, said: “These were incredibly frightening incidents, which left an innocent family scared for their lives and subject to a torrent of racial abuse.

“The safety of our residents is a priority for Salix Homes and we will not tolerate any kind of abuse against people living in our communities.

“We welcome the court’s decision to grant an Injunction Order in this case, and we hope this will serve as a warning that we will not hesitate to take swift legal action where necessary to ensure our communities remain safe and happy places to live.

If Heaton breaches the terms of the Injunction Order, Salix Homes will then look at issuing possession proceedings.