A 52-year-old man who repeatedly breached a closure order at a troubled Newport flat was eventually caught by police hiding in a cupboard, a court has heard.
Nicky Christie, 52, of no fixed abode, appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court earlier this week (Friday) charged with 4 counts of entering a premises contrary to a court order, theft from a shop and failing to surrender.
Crown Prosecutor Leah Dillon told the court of a closure order that was made on 23rd September in relation to a property on Angelica Grove on the Pan Meadows estate.
Court heard that on 4 separate occasions between 4th November 2025 and 10th December 2025, Christie remained on or entered the premises in contravention of a closure order that was originally imposed following several reports of drug-related disorder and nuisance.
Previously, neighbours of the ground floor flat were left living in fear as a result of anti-social behaviour such as fighting, discarded drug paraphernalia in communal areas, as well as reports of dog fouling and verbal abuse.
The court heard how Christie was eventually apprehended inside the flat by police who found him hiding in the cupboard.
Having failed to attend his previous court date on the Isle of Wight on 18th August, Christie last appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on 22nd August, where he admitted failing to surrender to bail and thus was charged for this offence.
Defending Christie, Nick Muir said his client was friends with the occupier of the address and was informed by police about the closure order, but due to ongoing memory issues from prolonged heroin use had forgotten.
A probation officer said Christie is an “entrenched heroin user” and suffers from ADHD and memory issues.
Along with a co-defendant, on 28th May Christie stole £328.68 worth of goods from ASDA in Newport. Items included alcohol, protein bags, protein shakes, crisps, a variety of chilled items and women’s sandals, an offence to which he has previously pleaded guilty to.
Nicky Christie was sentenced to an 18-month community order and ordered to complete 35 RAA days for the 6 offences.
