After becoming aware, in July 2020, of concerns for a private rented sector tenant's welfare due to the behaviour of the tenant's landlord officers from Peterborough council took evidence from the tenant and 2 independent witnesses. Evidence included the fact that the locks to the property had been changed, the landlord had moved into the property with 2 other people and the tenant's possessions had been bagged up.

The tenant had been made homeless but subsequently when magistrates court proceedings began the landlord pleaded not guilty. The case was adjourned for a full trial at which the landlord was found guilty but magistrates needed to consider whether to refer sentencing to the crown court because of the seriousness of the offences. A further magistrates hearing was held but the landlord did not attend and a warrant for his arrest was issued. Another magistrates hearing was held in January 2022 but the landlord again failed to attend and, though the hearing went ahead in his absence, sentencing was referred to the crown court which heard the case in May 2022 when the judge passed sentence without any further delay. The landlord was ordered to pay £1000 to the tenant for emotional distress and £7350 compensation for loss of personal possessions.

Council enforcement officer, Peter Bezant, said "In almost 27 years of service for the council this is by far the most serious case I have had to deal with, and this is reflected in the sentencing ..... This reinforces the zero tolerance stance by the council who will not hesitate to take prosecution proceedings for such illegal offences."