Mold Magistrates Court described the landlord's behaviour as "outrageous" as it sentenced him following his guilty plea to an offence of illegal eviction and harassment carried out in a "moment of madness".

The landlord's actions were said to have been carried out in response to the build up of rent arrears and other outstanding bills and at court it was said "he had essentially broken in to someone's home and removed belongings and a bathroom, which is completely unacceptable for anyone, especially a landlord of 30 years.".

In mitigation the landlord pleaded that he was 76 years old, had no prior convictions and was allowing his daughter to take over his landlord business. He was fined £1000 and ordered to pay Flintshire Council's costs of £2,623.14 and a victim surcharge of £100.

Cllr. Christopher Bithell, the council's Cabinet Member for planning, public health and public protection, said the prosecution reflected the council's commitment to "ensuring homes in the private rented sector are properly managed and tenants are afforded the security that they need during the current cost of living crisis.".