RESIDENTS of a Harlow housing estate have told YH that they have lived in fear for years of a man found guilty of attacking another resident with an electric drill that left the victim with brain damage.

Last week, YH reported that Eddie Achunche of Church End, Harlow was convicted of attacking his neighbour with an electric drill in an argument over late night DIY. (See story below).

Harlow man convicted of drilling into neighbour’s skull following late night DIY argument

The victim had a bleed on the brain and now has significant weakness and physical impairment on his right upper and lower limbs, he has double vision in his left eye and brain damage, resulting in memory and cognitive issues.

When residents read the report sent to YH by Essex Police, they felt the need to speak up and document what life, according to them, had been like living with Achunche as a neighbour.

But they have also asked not be named.

Church End is in the middle of the Katherines estate in Harlow. The block in question is set back from the road and the flats look in on each other with a quadrant in the middle.

A resident told YH. “Tenants that have had run-ins with this man are intimidated by him, to the point a few of us are trying to move out of the block as soon as possible.

“We felt the police did the minimum here and were not proactive. You could tell something terrible was going to happen.

And it did to a poor man whose life has been ruined.

“All I can hope is that by speaking out it makes a difference with how law enforcement handle individuals like this in the future, or at least make it so that people that live in the same area as him in the future can be cautious”.

The residents made reference to specific run-ins with Mr Achunche as well as not feeling at ease in the area they live. They were aware that some matters were not necessarily criminal and so at times, made contact with Harlow Council where they were advised to submit a complaint on-line.

We have details of three incidents to which the police attended.

August 29th, 2018

The complaint was in relation to a noise issue. Complainer went to speak to Mr Achunche who it was alleged had picked up a tyre jack.

YH understands that Achunche had recorded the incident. He had attended a voluntary interview. After reviewing the evidence the police believed there was not enough evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction.

January 16th, 2020

YH understands that this relates to a pregnant resident being racially abused and threatened.

Police attended and spoke to alleged victim and suspect.

YH understands that the victim was not supportive of further criminal action and so was given safeguarding advice.

August 1st, 2020

This incident was two days before the attack on a resident by Achunche with an electric drill.

YH understands that a resident contacted Essex Police regarding noise that Achunche was making. The resident had spoke to him but was alarmed at his aggressive manner especially as he was holding an electric drill at the time.

The complainer has told YH that the police did not speak to him that night. He gave a statement to the police a number of days afterwards.

Essex Police say that officers attended and went to speak to the suspect but they were not at home.

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Based on the three incidents above and the conversations we have had with residents, we asked Essex Police the following questions:

In what way are you confident that the residents of Church End received adequate protection from Eddie Achunche?

Was there any effort by agencies to work together to protect residents?

Do you accept criticism that if the authorities had been more robust with Mr Achunche then the injuries he ended up inflicting on a resident would not have occurred?

Chief Inspector Paul Austin, District Commander for Harlow, said: “We work hard, with our partners, to address and deal with issues where they arise in our communities.

“On each of the three incidents highlighted, officers attended the scene and spoke with the person who had called it in.

“Where criminal offences were identified we progressed our enquiries including taking witness statements, interviewing a suspect, and viewing video footage where it was available.

“On one occasion, we felt there was not enough evidence for there to be a realistic prospect of a conviction, on another the victim asked us to be speak to the suspect but didn’t want further action beyond to be taken.

“We also provided the victim with advice about how they can safeguard themselves.

“Where no criminal offences were identified, we provided advice to the person reporting the incident.

“We work regularly with the council, housing team and anti-social behaviour team on repeated issues around those who cause anti-social behaviour and commit criminal offences.

“Will take action where we are able to progress investigations into criminal offences and partners have powers to tackle issues where there are no criminal offences identified.

“I know the assault in August last year has had a huge impact on the victim and our officers have worked hard to get justice for him.”

Achunche is due to return to Chelmsford Crown Court in October for sentencing.