Oswald Clarke and Emma Price
Two individuals who exploited vulnerable residents across the Heath Town area of Wolverhampton have been served with injunctions by the County Court.
Oswald Clarke, aged 61 and of no fixed abode, and Emma Price, 39, also of no fixed abode, targeted vulnerable people, and coerced or threatened them to get into and take control of their properties, where they would then supply and use of class A controlled drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine.
The Court heard that Clarke in particular would threaten and intimidate the residents, often supplying them with drugs to persuade them to comply and hold them in debt to him.
This exploitation, commonly known as cuckooing, attracted many people to properties the pair had taken over to use controlled drugs, in turn causing increased levels of anti social behaviour in the local area.
Twelve people were identified as being victims of Clarke and Price over a period of 14 months, many of whom lived in Wolverhampton Homes properties in the Heath Town area.
The injunctions last for 2 years and prohibit Clarke and Price from approaching or communicating with named victims, entering or remaining in the Heath Town area, entering any residential dwelling owned by the council or Wolverhampton Homes other than their homes, entering any other residential dwelling in Wolverhampton without the owner’s consent, and using abusive, offensive, threatening or intimidating language or behaviour to any council or Wolverhampton Homes resident.
If either breach the injunctions, they could be fined or jailed for up to 2 years for contempt of court.
Wolverhampton Anti Social Behaviour Team led on securing the injunctions, working closely with Wolverhampton Homes, West Midlands Police, and the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Exploitation Team and Legal Services.
Councillor Obaida Ahmed, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Digital and Community, said: “Clarke and Price preyed on vulnerable residents, causing them serious harm and causing anti social behaviour to the wider community.
“We hope the injunctions that have been granted against them by the County Court will send out a strong message that such exploitation will not be tolerated across our city.”
Wolverhampton Partnerships Sergeant Nicola Sephton added: “Officers in our exploitation hub work to safeguard and support those who are often vulnerable individuals.
“We work closely with partners including the council and Wolverhampton Homes to protect those who are exploited, through the courts and by offering them the opportunities to move forward with their lives.”