A yob who has tormented her neighbours with persistent antisocial behaviour has been banned from a Midlands town. Naomi Pugh, 41, caused distress to fellow residents for a considerable time, leaving some suffering long-term anxiety, disruption, and intimidation.
Residents reported repeated nuisance behaviour, drug use, and exploitation of vulnerable people. Pugh has now been handed a two-year injunction order in a bid to curb her bad behaviour. She is also prohibited from engaging in any conduct that causes, or is likely to cause, nuisance, alarm, or distress to others. If she breaches the order, police have the authority to arrest her on the spot.
Exclusion from Newark
The order bans Pugh from entering Newark, Nottinghamshire, for the next two years. Her actions are also believed to have contributed to the 'cuckooing' of several properties across the area over the past 18 months. Nottinghamshire Police explained: 'Cuckooing is a practice whereby criminals manipulate vulnerable people, take over their homes and then use them for illegal activities.'
Newark and Sherwood District Council previously worked with Nottinghamshire Police to secure closure orders on properties associated with Pugh. The latest order was secured by the council in collaboration with the Newark neighbourhood policing team.
Police and council response
Inspector Charlotte Ellam, District Commander for Newark and Sherwood, said: 'Tackling antisocial behaviour has long been one of our primary focuses as a neighbourhood policing team, because of the distress we know this can cause to residents. This individual was responsible for subjecting the local community to these ASB issues for a considerable amount of time, so it's only right that action has now been taken. We're therefore really pleased to have been able to work with our partners at the council to secure this injunction, banning her from the Newark area.'
Councillor Paul Taylor, portfolio holder for public protection and community relations at Newark and Sherwood District Council, added: 'Residents across Newark deserve to feel safe in their homes and communities. The behaviour linked to this individual has caused long-term anxiety, disruption and intimidation. Securing this injunction, along with the exclusion from Newark, is an important step in preventing further harm and ensuring our communities are protected. We remain committed to working closely with Nottinghamshire Police and other partners to take decisive and proportionate action against those whose behaviour threatens the safety or wellbeing of others. This injunction demonstrates that persistent antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated in our district.'
