ELDERLY residents at a sheltered housing complex were left “shaken and distressed” after violent behaviour from a tenant.

Relatives of Stansfield Court residents in Benfleet have written to Castle Point Council following “threatening and violent” behaviour from a man who moved into the accommodation and has since been evicted.

Alison Pike, whose 82-year-old mother lives in Stansfield Court, said they have been subject to countless threats of violence and were too scared to come out of their rooms over Christmas.

She said: “The fear and distress being felt by residents at Stansfield Court is extremely upsetting to witness.

“They are elderly and vulnerable, being exposed to such threatening and volatile behaviour and they are fearful of what will happen next.

“The man has made numerous threats of violence, inappropriate remarks to a 12-year-old granddaughter of one of the residents and physically spat in her face when confronted.

“During the Christmas period, a time that should have been joyous and happy, the residents were locking themselves in their flats day and night and were reluctant to spend any time in the communal area through fear of coming into contact with this man.”

Stansfield Court has 29 units, a mix of one-bedroom and studio flats, and Ms Pike said 24 of the residents have signed a petition to have the man evicted. She is “disgusted” with the lack of action from the council.

Ms Pike said: “He first moved in in December last year, and ever since he arrived he has caused them nothing but stress and anxiety.

“My mother nearly died last year after contracting sepsis and kidney failure, she has two separate fractures in her spine and I so desperately want her to have a good quality life, to be safe and happy in her home.

“When I tried to reassure her that someone will be able to help, her response was ‘but what if, even if he’s moved, he comes back and sets fire to us all?’. “

A council spokesman said: “Castle Point Council has obtained an emergency injunction to exclude the tenant causing problems from Stansfield Court.”