How Steven Groves Tormented a Neighbour for 5 Years?

When 65-year-old Steven Persaud, a wheelchair-bound Birmingham pensioner, installed a Ring doorbell in 2020, he thought it would bring him security in his retirement.

Instead, it triggered five years of relentless harassment from his volatile neighbour, convicted criminal Stephen Groves, 59—a man who turned a simple security device into an excuse for psychological torment, threats, and near-daily abuse.

“I’ll Chop You Up and Put You in the Bin” – A Campaign of Terror

Over five years, he:

• Wielded a claw hammer at the doorbell, snipped its wires, and tried to deface it with a marker pen.
• Screamed vile threats, including telling one carer he would “chop her up and put her in the bin.”
• Blared music at all hours, including Guns N’ Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle,” to harass his neighbour.
• Removed hinges from a shared gate, only for it to nearly crush him as it fell.
• Hammered Persaud’s windows at 1 AM, leaving the disabled man terrified and sleep-deprived.

A System That Failed to Protect the Victim

Despite 25 court hearings, restraining orders, and multiple convictions (including harassment and criminal damage), Groves manipulated the system to stay in his council bungalow for years.

Victoria Rascinskis, Persaud’s niece, who fought tirelessly for justice, told MailOnline: “It’s been absolute hell. Groves should have been in prison. Instead, we had five years of abuse and fear. The system failed every step of the way.”

• Police often didn’t respond, even with an injunction in place.
• Groves exploited legal loopholes, falsely claiming “lack of capacity”—though two doctors confirmed he was fully aware of his actions.
• Birmingham City Council dragged its feet, leaving Persaud and his carers in constant danger.

This month, after years of legal battles, Groves was finally evicted from his Shard End council home. But his victims remain fearful.

• Carers were so traumatized, one quit her job. Others hid in their cars to avoid him.
• Rascinskis drilled holes in gates to check if Groves was lying in wait.
• Seven gates were destroyed as Groves bolted them shut or sabotaged them to trap carers.

Rascinskis said: “I’m ecstatic he’s gone, but furious it took this long. We’ve had carers locked in, carers locked out, abuse, fear, damage—all while the council tiptoed around him.”

Groves has been moved to temporary accommodation, but his victims worry he’ll target new neighbours.

Rascinskis’ final words? “He should be in a tent with the rats.”

A Birmingham City Council spokesperson confirmed the eviction, citing “breaches of tenancy” and promised “improved anti-social behaviour policies.”

But for Steven Persaud and his family, justice came far too late.