THE mum of a family that was banned from Wirral has had her request to have the ASBO against her lifted thrown out of court.

Karen Bridge, now of Barnes Road, Widnes, Cheshire, made an application to have the Anti-Social Behaviour Order issued against her in March 2005 discharged.

Karen Bridge and her husband, John Bridge, and three sons, John, Alan and Luke, who at that time lived in Grosvenor Road, New Brighton, were issued with Anti-Social Behaviour Orders in 2005 placing restrictions on their behaviour and banning them from remaining in Wirral, forcing them to leave their home the day the orders were issued.

The ASBOs were obtained following a lengthy investigation by Wirral Anti-Social Behaviour Team, working in partnership with Merseyside Police, and were a response to a catalogue of anti-social and serious criminal behaviour involving members of the family.

In June 2009, Karen Bridge made an application to Wirral Magistrates' Court to have the Anti-Social Behaviour Order against her discharged saying that she wanted to visit her grandchild and other family members in the borough.

Wirral Anti-Social Behaviour Team strongly opposed the application and the matter was set for trial at Wirral Magistrates' Court on Monday, January 18.

Karen Bridge was given permission of the court to enter the Wirral on this date only for the purpose of attending this hearing.

But she failed to attend - although she was legally represented.

At the hearing, District Judge Abelson dismissed Karen Bridge's application to discharge the Anti-Social Behaviour Order.

He also reserved any future applications to be heard by himself.

Caroline Laing, manager of Wirral Anti-Social Behaviour Team, said: "An enormous amount of resources was dedicated to ensuring that robust action was taken against this family who made the lives of many residents thoroughly miserable and often unbearable.

"We are very pleased that the court has rejected Karen Bridge's application and residents can breathe a sigh of relief."