Fine for person who breached injunction after targeting vulnerable tenants

The original injunction had been awarded 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 they were forbidden from entering any council property or from engaging in conduct that causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to any council tenants, staff or contractors.

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

The further action came after one of the individuals - who has not been named by the council - was witnessed by Lincolnshire Police on a road adjacent to those listed in the injunction.

A judge at Lincoln County Court on March 18 was satisfied that this constituted a breach of the terms and awarded a 14 day prison sentence suspended for six months with £850 costs to be paid.

Cllr Christine Lawton, South Holland District Council portfolio holder for housing revenue account and 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.”