Local woman issued a Criminal Behaviour Order to protect her neighbours

The order was issued following Ms Moffat’s campaign of harassment towards her neighbours, repeatedly causing nuisance within the wider community and incidents of making false and malicious reports to the Police and District Council about a number of individuals. The application to the court also evidenced Moffat’s history of verbal abusive towards local young people.

The order has no end date and includes 10 conditions relating to harassing neighbours. Ms Moffat has been ordered not to:

• Cause any nuisance or annoyance to any person living at or visiting John Gold Avenue and Hercules Drive
• Enter Barnby Road Academy
• Enter Barnby Road Play Area
• Make malicious complaints to any agency including Newark and Sherwood District Council and / or the Police
• Be verbally abusive to any young person under 18 years  
• Use any electronic device to film, record or photograph any person when on their private property. 

Despite efforts to support Ms Moffat and deter anti-social behaviour she continued in a campaign of harassment, causing considerable distress to those around her. This could not be allowed to continue and therefore legal action had to be taken by the District Council and Newark Police to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the residents affected. 

Councillor David Lloyd, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “Ms Moffat repeatedly harassed those living in her local area, with neighbours left feeling unsettled in their own home. We will not tolerate this unacceptable behaviour and this Criminal Behaviour Order shows the courts also recognise the need for action in this case.

“I hope this order allows those affected to feel more settled in our community, without fear of constant harassment. I also hope Ms Moffat moves forward from this and accepts the support she has previously been offered.

“I am encouraged to see the partnership between the District Council and Newark Police once again working effectively to improve the safety and wellbeing in our community and I look forward to seeing more successful action being taken in the future.”

Inspector Matthew Ward, District Commander for Newark and Sherwood, said: “It is always disappointing when a person’s detrimental behaviour can’t be effectively changed for the better through the work of my officers and our partners at Newark and Sherwood District Council, but I am pleased that through that joint work we have been able to evidence the need for a CBO to be issued to Ms Moffat.

“The fact the court has issued an indefinite order with such conditions demonstrates not only the seriousness of the repeated actions of Ms Moffat but also that Newark Neighbourhood Policing Team will take action against those determined to cause misery for others and support those victims of ASB and related behaviour by both disruption and utilising such legislation and legal powers when required.  This order will now give added protection to Ms Moffat’s victims by means of deterrent and if necessary prosecution, which carries a maximum penalty of imprisonment”.

Criminal Behaviour Orders are an effective way of combating antisocial behaviour and criminality because the conditions can be tailored to specifically address the offending behaviour. Applications for such Orders are reserved for the most persistent offenders. The District Council and Nottinghamshire Police will always look to resolve such behaviour in the first instance and offer support for any identified needs.