Police are investigating homophobic threats made to a couple who have been forced to leave their home.
Rachel Roustoby, 24, and Alex Houlden, 23, told how a bag of dog excrement was left on their front door handle. It was accompanied by the message: “Merry Christmas Fags”. They have also received a series of handwritten notes posted through their front door. One stated: “I do not like your lifestyle, your annoyed neighbour.”
Another read: “You need to move out. The lifestyle you like is upsetting the neighbours. We don’t like your kind around here. Annoyed neighbour No 2.” Alex has given up her job as a manager in a restaurant because she was afraid of being attacked after late shifts. Rachel blamed the situation for anxiety and stress and says they now plan to start a new life in a different area.
Forced out: Rachel Roustoby and Alex Houlden
(
Image:
Rachel Roustoby / SWNS)
The couple, from Huntington, a suburb of York, said they had been spat at and berated in the street. A complete stranger approached Rachel and started to make homophobic comments. Parcels intended for them were found in bushes outside, and they faced bogus claims of fly tipping.
Forced out: Rachel Roustoby and Alex Houlden
(
Image:
Rachel Roustoby / SWNS)
“Some of the anonymous letters have mentioned eight others who want us to leave,” said Rachel, who used to work for a pet store but is now unemployed. “It has been a rough ride for the pair of us. We are being forced out of our home. We don’t know if we could be physically attacked. I am 6ft 4in tall so they may be less likely to target me, but Alex is 5ft 5in tall and feels very vulnerable. We are being bullied into leaving, as soon as another property is available, we are going to leave.”
They met online in Sept, 2023, and moved in together just over a year ago. A spokesperson for landlord Yorkshire Housing said extra CCTV had been installed following the incidents. Letters sent to all residents to warn them that those responsible would face legal action. North Yorkshire Police was “actively investigating a series of harassment-type incidents which have been reported by the victims over several weeks,” a spokesperson said.
Same sex couple being forced out of their home
(
Image:
Rachel Roustoby / SWNS)
Alex said the abusive notes were posted over the past three months, with the comments becoming more and more abusive. The homophobic message left on their door on Christmas Day was in permanent marker and left them ‘terrified’. She said: “It’s just escalated and my partner was approached in the street, she’s been spat at.”
Rachel added: “A woman told me that this sort of thing would not be allowed in her country. I had never met her before, I had no idea who she was.” They praised the support of Yorkshire Housing, the landlord on their £713-a-month two-bed flat. Security at the building has been increased.
Forced out: Rachel Roustoby and Alex Houlden
(
Image:
Rachel Roustoby / SWNS)
Gavin Hoban, director of places and customer engagement at Yorkshire Housing, said: “The safety and wellbeing of our customers is our top priority, and we will not tolerate any behaviour like this.” A woman in her 50s was arrested as part of the police investigation but she was released with no further action. North Yorkshire Police said: “We can confirm these incidents are being treated as a hate crime and we’ve been carrying out a number of lines of enquiry to identify who is responsible.”
“Incidents such as these are extremely distressing for victims and we take them very seriously.” Officers were working with the victims to “ensure they’re kept updated and appropriate measures are in place for their personal safety,” a spokesperson added.Anyone with information was asked to contact 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, ref 12240218474.