A LANDLORD evicted her tenant and dumped her belongings outside in the rain – the first case of its kind in Kirklees.

Susan Lowe, 60, of Crowther Cottages, Marsden, was found guilty of criminal damage to the tenant’s possessions and unlawful eviction.

It is the first time a Kirklees landlord has been prosecuted for criminal damage.

Lowe pleaded not guilty at Bradford Crown Court this week to charges relating to an unlawful eviction of a tenant in July 2007.

The prosecution was brought by Kirklees Council’s Private Sector Housing Unit under the 1977 Protection from Eviction Act which makes it a criminal offence for a landlord or agent to harass or unlawfully evict a private tenant.

Lowe was found guilty of the offences after a three-day hearing.

The court heard that while the tenant was away for the weekend, Lowe changed the locks and moved the tenant’s belongings outside and left them in the rain.

She refused to co-operate with council officers when she was contacted and failed to comply with a County Court injunction requiring her to let the tenant back in.

Lowe was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay costs of £1,500.

The council prosecution was in partnership with The Valleys Neighbourhood Policing Team.

Insp Mark Trueman said: “This was a joint action – the first of its kind here in Kirklees.

“I’m pleased with the outcome of the trial and believe it sends out a clear, positive message to both tenant and landlord that The Valleys NPT will ensure any incidents reported of this nature will be thoroughly investigated with our partners, ensuring a positive outcome.

“Thankfully cases of this nature are rare here in Kirklees but by working together we will continue to strive to make The Valleys and Kirklees a safer place for all.”

Clr Andrew Marchington, joint Kirklees cabinet member for adults and communities, said: “We are very pleased with the outcome of this case which demonstrates that action will be taken to deal with the minority of landlords who break the law.

“We are also very pleased with the way in which the police have worked together with us to tackle this issue and this supports our aim to protect our communities.

“The majority of landlords are responsible and law-abiding and we work with them in a number of ways, offering support and advice to private landlords and tenants on their rights and responsibilities.”