A landlord who removed the windows and door of a flat while the pregnant teenage tenant cowered inside has been ordered to carry out community service.
As we previously reported (link), Michaela Landless (18), from Cupar, was struggling to pay the rent when Steven Simpson turned up on October 19.
She was left ”crying and shaking” as Simpson ordered workmen to rip out the windows and front door of the Cupar Mills flat.
Ms Landless, who has subsequently given birth, said she had no idea what was going on but awoke to hear ”someone drilling and kicking at the door” of the two-bedroom property.
Simpson had not denied ordering the removal of the windows and door but insisted he was only trying to repair them.
However, he was found guilty after trial of acting in a way likely to interfere with Ms Landless’ comfort, removing windows and doors knowing it was likely to cause her to give up occupation of the premises and her right to reside there.
On Thursday, Sheriff Charles Macnair said the incident must have been ”extremely frightening” for the teenager, particularly given her ”advanced stage” of pregnancy.
Solicitor Douglas Williams said Simpson, whose property business turns over £65,000 a year, was guilty of ”extreme naivety”. But Sheriff Macnair said ignorance of the law was no excuse.
”Laws are in place to protect tenants, both good and bad, from landlords who take steps to evict without proper process,” he said.
”Perhaps one of the most notorious landlords was Rachman (a London landlord who became infamous for his exploitation of tenants) and I don’t suggest you have done anything on that scale.
”However, this young lady was in an advanced stage of pregnancy and what you did must have been extremely frightening for her.”
He said: ”The court must make it abundantly clear that unlawful eviction will not be tolerated.”
Simpson, who arrived at court brandishing a home-made placard proclaiming his innocence, was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work in the community.
Speaking outside the court, he described the case as ”farcical” and insisted he was ”a law-abiding citizen”.