South Holland District Council takes court action against person who breached injunction

A person who breached the terms of a council injunction has been handed a suspended prison sentence.

The individual - who has not yet been named - had been caught in a part of Spalding that he was banned from entering due to a court order.

The injunction was brought by South Holland District Council in February after two people were found to have been 'cuckooing' vulnerable tenants in the District, coercing them to be allowed into their properties and using violent, abusive and intimidating behaviour to take advantage of them.

Under the conditions of the injunction the person was forbidden from entering any SHDC property or from engaging in conduct that 'causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to any SHDC tenants, staff or contractors'.

They were also not permitted to contact the tenants, their visitors or their family, who are involved in the case, or to be in the vicinity of any of the specific properties involved.

At a hearing on March 18, a Lincoln County Court judge found the individual had breached the terms of his injunction. They awarded a 14 day prison sentence, suspended for six months, and ordered that £850 costs should be paid.

Coun Christine Lawton, portfolio holder for Housing Revenue Account & Private Sector Housing, said: "Whilst it is a shame that we have been required to take firm action against this individual again, so soon after the awarding of the initial injunction, I am pleased that further punishment and deterrence has been given to help to keep our tenants safe from the risk of abuse or exploitation.

"It is testament to the work of our team and our partners at Lincolnshire Police that this breach was identified, actioned and penalised so quickly. This is of great importance to show that this behaviour will not be tolerated and to ensure that people are able to feel protected and supported as they go about their lives."