A council in Dorset which spied on a family to see if they lived in the right school catchment area has lost a landmark ruling over its actions.
Jenny Paton took Poole Borough Council to a tribunal after it used the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (Ripa) to spy on her family 21 times.
The Investigatory Powers Tribunal ruled it was not a proper purpose and not necessary to use surveillance powers.
Miss Paton said she was delighted. The council said it accepted the ruling.