THE three teenagers convicted of killing Big Issue seller Ralph Millward lived in the Rossmore area of Poole.

For some of those living there the terrible crime was the realisation of their worst fears.

Former Rossmore resident Denis Hamon said the gang, including Ayres and Real, threatened and attacked his son, and killed animals and spread their remains on his car.

“I knew they were going to get into serious trouble soon,” he added.

Jan Towers said she and her two children were also driven out of the estate by the gang of abusive youths.

She said: “You just waited for something really bad to happen.”

Antisocial behaviour campaigner Asher Nardone said the atmosphere on the estate at the time “was out of control”.

“When children stamp on a guinea pig for fun, then it is not hard to see how they could kick a guy to death.

“They would pick on the most vulnerable people like a pack of wolves.”

But others in Rossmore have a different take on life in the area.

Kay Seabright, 43, of Arne Avenue, a single mum who works in catering, said her views had changed after living there.

“I have never had any trouble,” she said.

“You have the odd domestic, the odd loud party – I had my own property before on Canford Heath and you had exactly the same.”

David Kehoe, 51, a civil servant of Gussage Road, Rossmore, said: “There’s some bad stuff that goes on – there is everywhere – but nobody wants to tell you about all the good stuff.”

Jamie Tuvey, 19, of Arne Avenue, said: “I’ve never had any trouble here – never been in any arguments or seen any fights.”

His girlfriend, Lauren Porter, 16, said the area had improved over the past three years.

“I’ll walk down this road at 1am sometimes and feel fine.”

John McBride, chief executive, Borough of Poole, said reports of antisocial behaviour were down by 30 per cent in recent months.

He said the “senseless actions” of three youths were “not a true reflection of young people on this estate or in Poole”.

Residents and businesses are being urged to report antisocial behaviour to the police or the council. People can report anti-social behaviour by contacting: Dorset Police on 01202 222222 or Borough of Poole’s Antisocial Behaviour Team on 01202 633483 or 01202 633494.