In what is believed to be the first move of its kind in Britain, a Newton Abbot home owner whose anti-social behaviour made life a misery for those around her has been banned from their property for a third time.

Dawn Lewis, 46, has been told by magistrates that for the next three months she can only enter her Wolborough Street flat in the presence of a uniformed police officer and by prior notice.

All other people, except estate agents and other authorised professionals hoping to market the dwelling, are also barred.

Anyone breaking the closure order could be arrested and face further penalties.

Lewis, of Flat 4, 89 Wolborough Street, was first barred from entering her home in September 2010.

Loud music, drink-fuelled threatening behaviour and abusive language had made life a misery for neighbours.

The two-month ban had little effect however and in April a further three-month closure order was issued.

Today in Torquay, magistrates were told that Lewis, unemployed and mother of an adult son, would not oppose another three-month order.

Her solicitor Alan Parsons said his client was ready to move on and wanted the flat sold.

'She wants to get rid of the property, it has been a problem for her. This will be music to the ears of the other tenants,' he told chairman of the bench Colonel Gerald Arnold.

After the order was granted PC Ian Russell, of Newton Abbot Police, said: 'I never thought it would come to this, an unprecedented situation of a third order. Let's hope that Dawn Lewis will sell up and that she has learned from the experience.'

Another resident from the property, who wished to remain anonymous, said: 'It's been a living hell. Hopefully now at least we can look forward to a quiet Christmas and better neighbours once the flat is sold.'

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