LANDLORDS who slapped an eviction order on a Liphook family on the grounds of serious anti-social behaviour, have expressed disappointment over last week's court decision to overturn it. Moat Housing Group said the ruling by the Court of Appeal, which allows Susan Hartless and her four children aged between 14 and six to stay in their home in Midhurst Road, is "contradictory" because there was an acceptance by the judge that serious antisocial behaviour had occurred. "Understandably, our witnesses and people who say they were forced out of their homes (by the family's antisocial behaviour), will be upset that the family has not been evicted," said the regional director of Moat Housing Association, Gary Clark. "However, an injunction with a power of arrest is in place for the next 18 months and there is the possibility of returning to court to seek possession of their home if they cause significant problems again. "We hope that this injunction will be enough to stop the bad behaviour and trust that the family will take this opportunity to change their attitude." Moat instigated legal action against Suzan Hartless and the father of her children, Carl Harris, who lives elsewhere, last October, following reports of incidents of serious antisocial behaviour going back to 2001 and affecting several householders in the vicinity of Winnipeg Close. Reported incidents included damage to property, assaults upon other residents and threats of violence and intimidation. In November, Moat applied for, and was awarded, an outright possession order against Ms Hartless, which meant she could be evicted without notice. A four-year ASBO (antisocial behaviour order) was granted against her and Mr Harris. Another family living in social housing on the housing estate was also served with an order, but surrendered their tenancy and agreed not to return to the area surrounding the estate for one year. But Ms Hartless and Mr Harris took legal action and won an 11th hour stay of their eviction order, before taking their case to the Court of Appeal. This month, Lord Justice Brooke, sitting with Lord Justice Judge and Lady Justice Arden, overturned the eviction and replaced the ASBO with an 18-month injunction with power of arrest and a suspended possession order. Lord Justice Brooke said the original order had been "intrusive" and "draconian" and that there had been inadequate warning given prior to the action being taken. But he accepted that the Moat was justified in seeking the injunction without notice orders because of the serious threat posed to Moat Housing's witnesses. "I cannot understand why the Court of Appeal has focused on the technicalities of this case, when it is clear that the family is guilty of awful behaviour," said Mr Clark. "They have overturned the decisions of two judges from previous court hearings, one of whom had heard live evidence over three days. The witnesses' fears of further intimidation and reprisals were, in my opinion, not sufficiently considered." Following last week's verdict, Ms Hartless was warned to keep her children under control and abide by the terms of her lease, and urged to make "a fresh start". Mr Clark added that Moat Housing was pleased peace had been restored to this part of Liphook. "We are delighted that residents are once again allowing their children to play without fear of bullying and assault. "This case does offer direction for antisocial behaviour cases in future, and, in particular, for injunction actions, and we hope that the social housing sector will not be deterred from challenging extreme behaviour in the future. "The court of appeal has confirmed that without-notice injunctions with exclusion areas can be used if they are a proportionate response." Ms Hartless did not wish to comment on the case.