Head of traveller family banned from borough

The head of a notorious traveller family has been banned from the whole of Sandwell after council chiefs secured a High Court injunction.

John Cassidy, cannot enter the borough while 13 other members of his family are prohibited from setting up unauthorised encampments, anywhere in Sandwell.

The injunction, supported by West Midlands Police, also forbids setting up of camps on 17 authority-owned sites.

The court was told how the Cassidy family had caused anti-social behaviour including assaults, threats and intimidation, criminal damage and an extreme amount of fly-tipping across Sandwell.