A landlord who bombarded her tenant with threatening messages has been given a suspended prison sentence.

A court heard the tirade was an attempt to force the tenant out of the property in Stone. It began after the mother of two complained to Stafford Borough Council about the condition of the house - including damp and mould, faulty boiler, and inadequate ventilation.

Magistrates in Cannock were told this week (Tuesday) that Janice Pope sent voice messages, texts, and calls, to the tenant who was living in the semi-detached house in the Walton area of Stone.

There were abusive messages, threats that the bailiffs were coming, and that the rent was being increased by around 25 percent. On one day alone Pope tried to contact the tenant on 35 occasions - and on another day she made 21 calls to her.

And magistrates heard the former tenant was “terrified” to give evidence in court.  

Lucy Taylor-Grime, prosecuting for the Borough Council, said the nine-month period of behaviour started as soon as the council became involved because of the poor state of the property.

She continued: “There were unlawful demands for increased rent, threats to attend the property and threats to cause harm. There appears to be no justification for these actions other than to avoid compliance with the statutory obligations of a landlord.

“The tenant was left in a position of fear and intimidation by the defendant when there was no need to be.”

Pope, of Higher Contour Road, Kingswear, Dartmouth admitted pursuing a course of action in an attempt to illegally evict a tenant by ‘sending multiple messages, making multiple telephone calls demanding your tenant leave the property, demanding money that was not owed by the tenant, and failing to complete remedial work to the property.’ The actions, which started in January 2024, are contrary to the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.  

She was given 24 weeks custody suspended for two years and was ordered to pay a total of £754 in costs. As part of the sentence she must also complete 15 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.  

At a hearing last year she was ordered to pay nearly £3,500 by magistrates after ignoring legal action to improve the house.  

The Borough Council helped to rehome the mother and her two teenage daughters.  

Speaking after Tuesday’s hearing, Councillor Ian Fordham, Cabinet Member for Environment, said that people should be able to live in decent conditions without fear of intimidation from their landlord.

He added: “We work closely with landlords, offering plenty of advice and support to ensure their tenants, who are our residents, have a home that is safe to live in - and it is reassuring to know that the vast majority of our landlords take their responsibilities seriously when it comes to providing this.

“I would encourage any tenant who is worried about the state of their property, and unable to get their landlord to do the repairs, to contact us.”

There are thousands of properties in the private rented sector in Stafford Borough.

Landlords and tenants can find more information about their rights and duties at Main Duties of Landlords and Tenants | Stafford Borough Council (staffordbc.gov.uk)

Press Release No 6288