Gilberton housing trust units where SA police were called out 367 times in less than two and a half years

New safety measures will be put in place at the site of a horror stabbing death in the eastern suburbs after it was revealed police had been called out hundreds of times in a matter of months.

New measures are hoped to improve the safety of residents at Bentzen Court in Gilberton. Picture: Brett Hartwig.

Police have been called to a notorious Gilberton housing trust complex 367 times in less than two and a half years to deal with disturbances – including the shocking stabbing death of a man last month.

Freedom of Information data received by The Advertiser showed police attended the 32-unit complex in Walkerville Terrace to deal with domestic disturbances, mental health incidents, drug offences, property damage, assault and trespass.

The incident report covered the time period from January 2023 to June 2025.

News of extensive police calls outs at Bentzen Court followed a woman being arrested and charged after Andrew Sorby-Adams, 65, was found dead inside one of the site’s units.

The shocking death prompted the state government to address heightened security concerns raised by the site’s tenants and neighbours with new safety measures announced on Monday.

Andrew Sorby-Adams was allegedly murdered in his Bentzen Court unit in Gilberton. Picture: SAPOL

One resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, described the units as being in a “state of disarray – filthy, chaotic and riddled with constant disturbances that put pressure on SA Police”.

Acting Housing Minister Blair Boyer said new CCTV and security lighting would be installed at Bentzen Court to increase visibility in common areas, reduce non-tenant foot traffic and prevent squatters from staying at the units.

A dedicated housing officer had been assigned to oversee tenancy selection and site management, and degraded fencing would be replaced with anti-climb, durable materials.

Acting housing minister Blair Boyer said new measures are hoped to increase safety. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Mr Boyer said 24/7 monitoring would continue at Bentzen Court while safety was upgraded and the trust began routine common area cleaning and removed rubbish from the site.

“The safety of the community remains a top priority for our government. That is why we have taken swift action to ensure that the Housing Trust units at 61 Walkerville Terrace are safe and well-managed,” he said.

“What happened at the Bentzen Court site last month was a tragedy and my thoughts are with Andrew Sorby-Adams’ family and friends.

“These measures will address anti-social behaviour, reduce crime and create a more

connected and respectful community.”

The Housing Trust would now provide weekly updates to the Walkerville Council and hold regular tenant forums to hear feedback on the improvement plan.

“We want to ensure that those who live here are good neighbours and contribute positively to the community,” Mr Boyer said.

Mr Boyer said the government had been cracking down on anti-social behaviour by Housing Trust tenants, already having replaced verbal warnings over incidents with written, formal warnings in the first instance.

New rules also meant tenants removed from Housing Trust properties could not apply for another Housing Trust property for a minimum of 12 months and would be directed to homelessness services.

A 30-year-old woman has appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court by phone link from an undisclosed medical facility following the fatal stabbing of the Gilberton man.

She has been remanded in mental health custody and her identity has been suppressed.