A woman in Gainsborough, Lincs., named Courtney Balloch, has been uniquely banned from entering any residential property in the town where her name is not on the tenancy agreement. This unprecedented legal action was taken due to Balloch’s history of public order violations, theft, drugs offenses, and repeated breaches of a Criminal Behaviour Order.
The decision to bar Balloch from all residences in Gainsborough, except her own, was made to protect the community from her ongoing antisocial, threatening, and abusive behavior. Lincolnshire Police confirmed that the civil anti-social behavior injunction granted on February 27 is a first for the force and is believed to be a rare occurrence nationwide.
Inspector Michael Head, from West Lindsay NPT, who led the injunction, emphasized the importance of safeguarding the community from Balloch’s disruptive conduct. The restrictions imposed aim to prevent further distress to residents and ensure their safety in their homes and neighborhoods.
Balloch is now prohibited from entering any residential property in Gainsborough for the next three years unless she is a tenant or has written consent from the property owner. She is also forbidden from engaging in any antisocial behavior that may cause nuisance, annoyance, harassment, alarm, or distress to individuals in Gainsborough.
If Balloch violates these conditions, she could face imprisonment for up to two years or a substantial fine. The community’s reaction to the injunction varied, with some expressing sympathy for Balloch’s situation, while others emphasized the need for strict enforcement to maintain peace and safety in the town.
