A Newton Abbot woman who has twice been ordered by the courts to leave her privately-owned flat after persistent complaints about anti-social behaviour will find out next month if a third closure order is to be issued.

If it is, it will be the first time in Britain such a measure has been taken against the same person in a bid to clamp down on rowdy neighbours.

Dawn Lewis, of Flat 4, 89 Wolborough Street, was first barred from entering her home last September. At the time the 46-year-old was told by magistrates in Exeter that she and then partner Jamie Ryan had made life a misery for other residents with their loud music, drink-fuelled threatening behaviour and abusive language.

Lewis was allowed to collect her personal possessions and then the property was boarded up until November 26. She was then allowed to return.

In April Lewis was again before the bench after neighbours had repeatedly called the police, the catalogue of anti-social behaviour repeating itself despite the ­ earlier order.

At the time David Campbell, for the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, told magistrates in Torquay that life for Lewis' neighbours had become 'intolerable'.

The bench again imposed a closure order, this time for the maximum term of three months, after which Teignbridge anti-social behaviour officer Andy Davies said: 'Nobody should have to live with this kind of persistent anti-social behaviour from their neighbours.'

On Wednesday, Lewis appeared before magistrates in Newton Abbot after police applied for the third – and what is thought to be unprecedented – closure order.

Officers had posted a closure notice on Lewis' flat two days earlier following yet more complaints from neighbours.

However, Lewis, representing herself, said her solicitor would be on holiday until September 26 and asked for the hearing to be adjourned.

Chris Rendell, representing the constabulary, said that 'out of fairness' he would not object to a delay but asked that the closure notice be extended, a move which allows only Lewis to enter her home.

Anyone else doing so could be arrested.

The bench agreed and proceedings were adjourned until 10am, October 4, at Torquay Magistrates' Court.

When asked Lewis said she understood what had been decided but opted to say nothing more until her next appearance.