A landlord who harassed a tenant to give up her premises by 'interfering with her peace and comfort' has appeared in court. 

Frank Bradley, 67, of West Chilton Terrace, Chilton, was charged with contravening a section of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 when he appeared at Peterlee Magistrates' Court.

The case was brought by Durham County Council, the court was told Bradley had harassed her to give up the premises in Chilton, between June 33 and July 13.

Magistrates were told he "did acts likely to interfere with the peace or comfort of the residential occupier or members of her household, namely gaining entry to and occupying the premises".

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The court was told he did this knowing or "having reasonable cause to believe that such conduct was likely to cause the residential occupier to give up the occupation of the whole or part of the premises or to refrain from exercising any right or pursuing any remedy in respect of the whole or part of the premises".

Bradley pleaded guilty to the charge. He was fined £184 and ordered to pay a £74 surcharge to find victim services and costs of  £330.00.

An order was made for the collection of a total of £588.