A woman from Lincolnshire has made legal history by becoming the first person in Britain banned from entering every home in her town apart from her own.
Courtney Balloch, 33, can no longer set foot in any residential property in Gainsborough where she is not named on the tenancy agreement.
The unprecedented ban follows a series of public order, theft and drug-related offences.
Lincolnshire Police sought a civil anti-social behaviour injunction in February after Balloch breached a Criminal Behaviour Order.
Officers cited her “persistent antisocial, threatening, and abusive behaviour” as justification for the measure.
Her offending history “spanned a significant period”, police said.
Courtney Balloch has been banned from every home in her town – except hers
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LINCOLNSHIRE POLICE
The injunction is the first of its kind for the force and is also thought to be a first under English law.
The ban will remain in place for three years.
During this period, Balloch cannot enter any home in Gainsborough unless she has written permission from the landlord or homeowner.
She is also prohibited from any behaviour likely to cause nuisance, annoyance, harassment, alarm or distress to local residents.
A similar case occurred in York in 2008, when a tenant was barred from all council properties, but no other case appears to match this scope.
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The injunction is the first of its kind for Lincolnshire Police (pictured) and is also thought to be a first under English law
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LINCOLNSHIRE POLICE
The injunction also bars Balloch from contacting certain named individuals.
She is forbidden from using or threatening violence against anyone in Gainsborough.
The 33-year-old is additionally banned from entering any shop in Retford, Nottingham, and from participating in the Shopwatch Scheme.
Encouraging others to engage in similar behaviour is also prohibited under the order.
Should Balloch breach any of these conditions, she faces imprisonment for up to two years – or could be hit with an unlimited fine.
The wide-ranging restrictions were put in place after efforts to protect the community from her conduct proved insufficient.
West Lindsay NPT Inspector Michael Head, who coordinated the injunction, said: “This injunction is an important step in protecting our community.
“We have worked tirelessly to address the pattern of antisocial and harmful behaviour involved in this case, and the restrictions now in place are designed to prevent further disruption or distress to residents.
“Our priority is, and always will be, ensuring that people in Gainsborough feel safe in their own homes and communities.
“To get someone banned from all properties is a rarity and our work has been shared with Notts colleagues.”
