A BUSINESSMAN who was investigated by BBC TV's Watchdog programme daubed paint over windows at his former home, a court heard.
Alan Beaumont, 55, ran up large rent arrears at North Road, Kirkburton, and was evicted on April 15.
Huddersfield magistrates were told the landlord then put up posters in the windows of the house, telling bailiffs about Beaumont's new address at Springfield Court, Kirkburton, where he had moved in with his mother.
The court heard yesterday that Beaumont - whose swimming pool fitting company, Scandia UK, was investigated for allegedly charging customers thousands of pounds but not completing work - covered the posters by spray painting the windows on April 19.
Beaumont pleaded guilty to criminal damage and was fined £100 with £40 costs.
Ian Stamp, prosecuting, said Beaumont covered the posters with paint after asking the estate agent to remove them.
Beaumont drove past the address after police had been called and officers were outside the property. He handed himself over to them.
In a statement, read in court, he said: "I telephoned the estate agent and told them I was going to paint over all the windows.
"I told the estate agent I would remove the paint when the posters were removed."
Ruth Miller, defending, said: "He had got into financial difficulties when his mother - in her 80s - had a stroke.
"When he left the property there were some debts outstanding."
Last December, Watchdog said Beaumont's firm had left angry customers across the country.
Its website says one man gave Scandia UK £11,800 - but the firm never returned to his house.
The report also details two other occasions where money was taken and the job not finished.
Beaumont blamed bad weather and problems with sub-contractors.
