Groundbreaking Injunction Bans Neighbour from All Homes in Gainsborough
A Gainsborough resident has been issued with what is believed to be a historic legal injunction, prohibiting her from entering virtually every residential property in her entire town. Courtney Balloch, aged 33, has been banned from setting foot in any home in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, where her name does not appear on the tenancy agreement. This unprecedented civil order was granted by the court following a sustained campaign of antisocial behaviour that terrorised the local community.
Unprecedented Legal Action Following Persistent Offences
The antisocial behaviour injunction, granted on February 27, marks a first for Lincolnshire Police and is thought to be potentially unprecedented across Britain. The legal action follows a litany of public order violations, theft and drugs offences, alongside multiple breaches of an existing Criminal Behaviour Order. Police officers sought this extraordinary measure after exhaustive attempts to shield residents from Balloch's persistent antisocial, threatening, and abusive conduct, noting her criminal record spanned a significant period.
While a problem tenant was barred from all council properties in York back in 2008, there appear to be no other documented cases where an individual has been blacklisted from every dwelling in their locality, including privately owned homes. This injunction represents a significant escalation in legal measures available to combat severe neighbourhood disruption.
Three-Year Ban with Strict Conditions
The court order, which will remain in force for three years, explicitly forbids Balloch from entering any residential property in Gainsborough unless she is listed as a tenant or has written consent from the landlord or homeowner. Furthermore, she is prohibited from engaging in any antisocial behaviour likely to cause nuisance, annoyance, harassment, alarm, or distress to any individual within the town.
Additional stringent conditions attached to the injunction include:
- A ban on contacting certain specified individuals.
- Prohibition from using or threatening violence against anyone in Gainsborough.
- Being barred from entering any shop in Retford, Nottinghamshire.
- Exclusion from participating in the local Shopwatch Scheme.
- A prohibition on inciting others to engage in similar prohibited conduct.
Breaching any of these conditions carries severe penalties, including a potential prison sentence of up to two years or an unlimited fine.
Community Reaction and Police Statement
West Lindsay Neighbourhood Policing Team Inspector Michael Head, who spearheaded the application for the injunction, stated: "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."
Inspector Head emphasised that the force's priority remains ensuring people in Gainsborough feel safe in their own homes and communities. He noted the rarity of obtaining such a comprehensive ban, adding that their work has been shared with colleagues in Nottinghamshire for reference.
When Lincolnshire Police shared details of the injunction on social media, the town's reaction was mixed. While many residents expressed relief, some voiced sympathy for Balloch's predicament. One commenter recalled knowing her from school, expressing sadness at her current situation and hoping for her healing. Another noted knowing her family, describing them as good people and urging sympathy and prayers, suggesting she was a good kid once who could be again given a chance.
Conversely, other residents called for stricter measures, with comments such as "Just lock her up...she causes that much trouble" and "If she is being a nuisance and being threatening then she needs to be locked up." This division highlights the complex social dimensions surrounding persistent antisocial behaviour cases and the balance between community protection and individual circumstances.
