City of York Council was today granted a two-year suspended possession order after the tenant of one of its flats was convicted of drug-related offences.

The council was forced to take action after Jacqueline Dawson, the occupant of a first floor flat on Anne Street, admitted 'being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug' when she appeared at York Crown Court in January.

There had been a history of nuisance behaviour at the property, much of which was caused by visitors to Ms Dawson's home. A number of families with children and elderly people live in the immediate area.

In June 2006 police executed a successful drugs warrant at the property and seven people, including Jacqueline Dawson, were arrested.  Following her recent court appearance, Ms Dawson was made the subject of a 12-month community order.

The suspended possession order means that Ms Dawson must abide by the terms of her tenancy agreement and, in particular, not allow visitors to her home to cause nuisance, alarm or distress to people living nearby. If she breaches the order within the next two years, she faces being evicted.

A City of York Council spokesperson said: "Supplying drugs from a council property is not only a serious breach of the terms of the tenancy agreement, but also a blight on the wider community.  The council will not tolerate neighbourhoods being undermined by criminal activity conducted from council homes.  We will always take legal action against any tenant who behaves in this way.

"As well as receiving a community order, Ms Dawson's behaviour has also put her home at risk and this should send out a stark warning to others."