January 13, 2015 2.51 pm This story is over 110 months old

ASBO for Lincoln woman after persistent drunken misuse of 999

Drunken 999 calls: A Lincoln woman has been prosecuted after persistently abusing the 999 service and causing a nuisance to residents while drunk.
Lincoln Magistrates Court on the High Street. Photo: File/The Lincolnite

A Lincoln woman has been prosecuted after persistently abusing the 999 service and causing a nuisance to residents while drunk.

Emma Pankiw, aged 38, was handed an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) for her drunken and aggressive behaviour.

Pankiw, of Trent View in Lincoln, appeared at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on Monday, January 12, following action by the City of Lincoln Council.

The application for the order was made following persistent anti-social behaviour conducted over a number of years.

The court heard Pankiw made false allegations, misused the 999 system, and was rude and offensive to people, invariably caused when she was drunk.

Five conditions were given under the order. Pankiw is banned from:

  • Entering the building containing 5,6,7 Tangshan Court
  • Calling 999 unless in a genuine emergency
  • Shouting at (or making offensive or aggressive gestures toward) any person in Trent View, Lincoln or any public place
  • Persistently banging on any door, persistently ringing any doorbell or intercom entry systems
  • Being in possession of an unsealed container of alcohol in a public place except on a premises licensed for the sale and consumption of alcohol

The anti-social behaviour order will last for three years and, if breached, would result in Pankiw returning to court and facing tougher penalties, with a maximum sentence of five years available to magistrates.

Sam Barstow, the city council’s Service Manager for Public Protection and Anti-Social Behaviour, said: “The council takes reports of anti-social behaviour seriously and we will work closely with our partners to take action where appropriate.

“In this particular case the defendant had caused significant problems in the north area of Lincoln for a protracted period of time.

“Intervention such as referrals to alcohol treatment services, voluntary agreements and warnings, along with a number of prosecutions taken by the police were all attempted in order to try and resolve the issues.

“Unfortunately the behaviour continued and officers recognised the need to progress this case to the courts in order to provide protection for the various victims of the defendant’s behaviour.”

Anyone suffering anti-social behaviour should contact the Public Protection and Anti-Social Behaviour team on 01522 873378.