Five people have been served with injunction orders after vulnerable residents were taken advantage of in their own homes.
Boston County Court heard the affected council tenants were caused serious harassment and distress and felt powerless to stop the defendants doing as they wished within their homes and communities.
The court issued a 12-month injunction against the three men and two women stating they must not enter Edward Road, Poplar Court and Hereward Road.
If found to be in breach of the order they could be arrested by police.
The five are Spalding men Alan East, of Winsover Road, and Victor Ford, of Edinburgh Drive, as well as Sarah King, Rafal Guzik and Samantha Costello, of no fixed address.
The action was taken by South Holland District Council.
Coun Christine Lawton, portfolio holder for housing landlord services, said: “These people preyed on vulnerable tenants in a despicable manner, with no thought or care for the frightening position they were creating.
“The action of the housing department has taken in getting these injunctions demonstrates that we take such instances of anti-social behaviour very seriously and will protect our tenants when they are victims.”
Two of the victims, who are deemed to be “vulnerable” said they were grateful to the council and police for bringing their nightmare to an end.
One said: “For the first time in over a year I can relax and smile again.
“I have got my life back and it’s nice to have my flat back.
“It got to the stage I felt I wanted to move away.
“They weren’t very friendly.”
Another victim said the gang used his home as a “crash pad” and he knew a third victim with learning difficulties who had ended up sleeping on his own sofa while members of the gang slept in his bed.
He said: “I know one would offer to cook for him, but there were often six or seven of them there and she would cook for all of them, using all his food.
“They took advantage of vulnerable people and I’m glad it’s over.”