Banned from all council homes

9:49am Tuesday 13th May 2008

SHE has been found staying at no fewer than 22 council properties since being evicted from her own home for anti-social behaviour.

Now nightmare neighbour Abigail Alexander has become the first person in York to be banned from every council residential property in the city under a groundbreaking legal move by housing bosses.

The 40-year-old, of no fixed address, has been served with an Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction (ASBI) forbidding her from entering any council-owned residential buildings without written permission from the authority, and also from causing a nuisance to tenants or their neighbours.

A City of York Council spokeswoman said police had the power to arrest Alexander if they believed she had breached any part of the order, and a breach could be punished by a fine, imprisonment or both.

She said: "We have not undertaken this ASBI lightly. This action has been taken after numerous warnings and action against tenants who have allowed Abigail Alexander and others to reside with them and cause a nuisance to other residents. The same problems have occurred over and over again.

"Ms Alexander has had many warnings about the impact her presence has on her hosts and their neighbours. She's also been warned repeatedly that the council would take action against her if necessary. Unfortunately, we have been forced to do that."

She said the injunction had been served by York County Court.

"Local residents of addresses where Abigail Alexander is known to reside will be notified that they should ring the police if they believe that the injunction order has been breached."

The terms of the order are that: Abigail Alexander may not enter any residential premises owned by City of York Council, without express written permission of the council; Abigail Alexander may not cause alarm, harassment or distress to any person living in accommodation owned or managed by the council, or to any member of staff or City of York Council or anyone acting on their behalf.

The Press' news archives show Alexander making regular appearances at York Magistrates Court over recent years.

In February this year, when her address was given as Cornlands Road, Acomb, she was fined and given a driving ban for drink driving, having no insurance and unlicensed driving. In January, she was handed a conditional discharge for theft and last November she was given a community order with activity and 12 months' supervision for theft.

In October 2006, she was given a 12-month community order with activities for theft and in June 2005 was handed a six month conditional discharge for resisting arrest.

In May 2004, she was jailed for three months for two thefts and two cases of handling stolen goods.

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