Adelaide murder arrest exposes neighbour’s terror in ‘filthy’ Gilberton SA Housing Trust block

The alleged murder of a 65-year-old man in the unit complex comes after years of problems in the area, frightened neighbours say.

Neighbours living near a troubled Housing Trust block where a man was allegedly murdered this week say they are living like prisoners in their own homes.

Andrew Sorby-Adams, 65, was killed at the Bentzen Court unit complex at Gilberton on Tuesday in an attack that has horrified neighbours.

A 30-year-old woman has been charged with his murder.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said there had been issues of crime at the units over several years.

“It really should never have come to this,” the resident, who had their fence scaled by an intruder last week, said.

“People are living in fear. We are virtually prisoners in our own home.

“They (the units) are in a state of disarray - filthy, chaotic, and riddled with constant disturbances that put pressure on SA Police.

“This is not only unfair for residents living nearby but also for the people within those units like the late Mr Sorby-Adams.”

A police officer at the Bentzen Court unit complex where an alleged murder took place. Picture: Brett Hartwig.

Police and forensic officers attend the unit complex on Tuesday. Picture: Brett Hartwig.

SA Housing Trust figures show that since January 1, 2022, there have been 44 complaints made about anti-social behaviour at the complex – nearly half were classed as ‘moderate’.

Over the same period, two tenants were evicted, six tenants transferred and a further two tenancies not renewed.

Former media personality Jan Beasley, whose Walkerville Tce home was broken into by the alleged murderer on Tuesday, said “we’re so lucky we weren’t killed”.

Blood smeared on the couch, following an alleged murder. Picture: Supplied

The Walkerville Tce house that was broken into. Picture: Supplied

“It’s not just me – it’s all those around me that feel utterly unsafe,” Mrs Beasley said.

She said over the past seven years she has raised her concerns with the department, police and government and only this week had a response from the minister.

“I don’t want to get rid of the good tenants, it’s that the vetting process needs to be addressed,” Mrs Beasley said.

Jan Beasley’s home was broken into after the alleged murder. Picture: Brett Hartwig.

An SA Housing Trust spokesperson said complaints of anti-social behaviour and breaches of tenancy agreements were taken seriously and investigated.

“Most of our tenants are peaceful and abide by the conditions of their tenancy agreement,” the spokesperson said.

“If very serious anti-social behaviour or criminal behaviour is confirmed, the Trust applies to the SA Civil and Administrative Tribunal for an immediate eviction.”

The SA Housing Trust can also issue written warnings to inform tenancies were at risk.

Tenants who get two warnings in a reasonable time frame can be referred to dispute resolution with neighbours and tenants have an opportunity to address their behaviour before a third substantiated complaint can occur.

“If it does, the Trust applies to the SA Civil and Administrative Tribunal for eviction,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added where mental illness underlie the anti-social behaviour staff helped tenants access support services, before they resorted to an eviction.