A COUPLE whose screaming rows kept their neighbours awake all night could face jail for arguing.

Residents in Gipsyville complained to police after a series of heated arguments between Kenneth Burton and his partner Victoria Williamson.

Both Burton, 30, and Williamson, 33, have now been given antisocial behaviour orders (Asbos) banning them from swearing and using abusive language.

The maximum penalty for breaching an Asbo is five years in prison.

PCSO Sharon Fieldsend, who applied for the order, said: “They were arguing in the street, shouting and swearing and were sometimes abusive towards other people often while they were in drink.

“They would be shouting and bawling all night long.

“I attended a few calls and noticed it was having a detrimental effect on the quality of life of the residents.

“It particularly affected one of the neighbours. Sometimes, he had to come home from work because he was so exhausted after being unable to sleep because they were arguing until the early hours.

“He was at the end of his tether, which is why we had to do something.”

The two-year orders were made at Hull Magistrates’ Court after an application by Humberside Police.

Both Burton’s neighbours in Hereford Street and Williamson’s in Hampshire Street complained to the local neighbourhood policing team.

When they were arrested on suspicion of assault, both refused to press charges, claiming they love each other.

PCSO Fieldsend said: “The problems start when they go to each other’s houses because they fall out all the time. I felt applying for an Asbo would be the appropriate way to support the community.

“Often, when there is a domestic issue, there is not much we can do about it unless they will press charges.

“They did fight in the street and would get arrested, but would never want to prosecute each other. They would just say they love each other, so this was the only route we felt we could go down to help the residents.”

PCSO Fieldsend praised the community for providing evidence against the pair, which was crucial to secure the Asbo.

She said: “It has been a big community effort. Without the support of the residents standing up it, we wouldn’t have been able to do this.

“Both streets are residential areas with a lot of families and children, who play in the street. They don’t want to see these people fighting and swearing in the street.”

Since the Asbos were made, there have been no complaints from residents.

“Since we got the Asbos, I have had e-mails of thanks from residents to say they appreciate it, which is nice because I have done it for them,” she said.

“It wasn’t about ticking a box for us, it was to solve a problem for them.”