By Ben Supple

A LEVEN teenager who was the first person to be thrown out of his home under new anti- social behaviour legislation will be allowed to return next week, much to the disgust and distress of the 99-year-old war veteran who lives below.

Scott Wallace (18) was banned from his Fife Council flat on Letham Terrace for three months at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court in January.

The ban, under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act, will not be extended, leaving Wallace free to take residence above Richard Martin once again.

Mr Martin’s son, also Richard, spoke on his father’s behalf yesterday.

He said, “I am very disillusioned by the news.

“Apparently, a sheriff wouldn’t grant an extension and has to consider Scott Wallace’s civil rights. But where are my father’s civil rights in all of this?

“The police say they will arrest Wallace if he steps out of line again but what worries me is he will have to do something bad to get the wheels in motion.”

He added, “I accept that the law is the law but it seems to me there must be something wrong with a system that comes up with rules that don’t protect vulnerable people and look after people like Wallace.”

Wallace’s disruptive behaviour was the subject of a public meeting prior to his ban.

“We are talking about someone who played his music very loudly and constantly, held parties, damaged property, threw food, cigarettes and rubbish onto my father’s garden and flooded his house when a radiator came off his wall,” said Mr Martin jun. “Wallace is just a blot on society who doesn’t care about anyone.

“My father was often up in the early hours of the morning, woken by drunks.

“He is putting on a brave face because he doesn’t want to worry us but he is very upset and is suffering from nose bleeds and headaches because of this. In fact, he is living in fear.

“Each night when Wallace was there he packed a suitcase with a change of clothes, a torch and a fire extinguisher because he was scared Wallace would set fire to his house.

“The police are going to give him a panic alarm which is linked to them but that is no way for someone who served his country for 26 years to live.

“All he wants to do is live in peace and with respect—I don’t think that is asking for the moon.”

Mr Martin jun’s wife Margaret added, “I don’t know what you have to do to get evicted these days.

“It is frankly unbelievable that Wallace is coming back.

“Fife Council have said they will talk to him when he gets his keys but I’m sure that won’t make any difference.

“He didn’t think he was doing anything wrong before so he’ll no doubt continue his behaviour.

“What we want to do is make it clear to those who are in the same position that there is very little support or help out there.

“All of the officials were parading up and down the road when the cameras were here because of the ban but now they are hiding behind concrete walls.”

A Fife Council spokesperson said, “We can confirm the closure order in place for 25 Letham Terrace, Leven, will expire on April 20 and the former tenant of the property, Mr Scott Wallace, will be eligible to return.

“However, should he take up this option, which is not guaranteed, there will be stringent security and safety measures put in place for the benefit of the whole community.

“These include an anti-social behaviour order, breach of which could result in his immediate arrest.

“Changes have also been made to the tenancy status for the property, again which could ultimately result in the tenancy being ended.

“Fife Council is a responsible, caring landlord, which encourages good behaviour among its tenants. We sincerely hope there will be no need to use any other legal provision in this matter but we will not hesitate to do so if required.”

Fife Police were asked to comment but had not responded by the time The Courier went to press.

Scott Wallace was unavailable at his family’s home yesterday.