A 26-year-old woman has become the first person in the country to be banned from entering an entire borough after being labelled one of Merton's most prolific motor vehicle thieves.

Victoria Bunton, of no fixed address, received a three-year anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) at Wimbledon Magistrates' court on Monday, February 24.

Exasperated police persuaded magistrates to issue the order after suffering fourteen years of the unemployed offender's anti-social behaviour in Merton.

The young woman has more than 50 convictions.

Ms Bunton is forbidden from entering any vehicle which doesn't belong to her family, entering any pawn shop or goods exchange in London without consent of the local authority, or wearing clothes in a public place which hide her face.

She also cannot enter Merton except to attend court or meet solicitors for a pre-arranged appointment, and cannot be in the company of Omar Williams, 35, in a public place for the next three years.

Ms Bunton could receive a maximum prison sentence of five years if she breaches any of her ASBO conditions.

Inspector Stuart Buchan, from Merton Police, said: "This sends out a clear message that we can and will take action against those persons who commit crime within Merton."


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