A FAMILY who neighbours say have made their lives hell will find out tomorrow if they will be forced out of their home.

William Hanratty and his partner Tina Brett, of Fyfield Avenue, Penhill, appeared at Swindon County Court yesterday where the council has applied for an eviction order against them.

They are facing a series of allegations that the behaviour of their sons has ruined the lives of nearby residents.

One man spoke of being driven from his home by the intimidation of local youths, including Thomas and Patrick Hanratty.

Another woman told the court how she is now physically sick at the slightest noise outside her house, such is her mental state following intimidation by the family.

Thomas, 18, and Patrick, 19, have already been banned from entering Penhill, following a two-month reign of terror.

Paul Walker described how he had left his Corsham Road house to find his car windscreen smashed and a trail of blood on the ground.

When Mr Walker saw Patrick Hanratty with what appeared to be blood on his jacket he took two photographs of him.

This sparked a torrent of abuse from Patrick, which left Mr Walker and his partner, Elizabeth Clark, fearing for their lives.

Mrs Clark told the court how her life had deteriorated since then. "Before October 7 we had never had a problem - we were the quiet couple in the corner and we had a good life," she said.

"I was an incredibly professional and switched-on person.

"There are times now when I can't even get out of bed.

"We haven't done anything wrong, but there are times now when I feel like I'm in prison.

"I have to be escorted to the shops, and when I hear a bang at night now I throw up."

Mrs Clark told the court how since the incident with the windscreen, fireworks have been thrown at the couple's house and eggs thrown at their car.

She also claimed that on two occasions William Hanratty made intimidating comments during proceedings at magistrates court, including one occasion when Mr Hanratty said the couple deserved "a visit from the Swindon boys".

Mr Hanratty called the claims "complete fabrication."

Gary Sears, described how he and his family had to be moved from Fyfield Avenue and his wife put on medication after "riots" outside their home, involving Patrick and Thomas.

He also described how gangs of youths, again including the Hanratty boys, had stood outside his house every morning in an effort to intimidate him and his family. Miss Brett rubbished Mr Sears' claims, saying "it's hard enough to get them out of bed before 11 or 12".

The court also heard that Mr Hanratty and Miss Brett's youngest son Edward, 15, was involved in an incident where a man was wounded in the eye by a catapult. Miss Brett stressed that her son was not the one who fired the catapult.

The hearing continues.

and said "he is not a naughty boy."