A LANDLORD who kicked and punched a lodger in an attempt to get rent from him was warned yesterday that he could be sent to prison.

Alexander Armour, 33, pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm to Peter Lydon. Harrogate magistrates adjourned the case until May 3 for sentencing.

Court chairman David Marlow told Armour, of Tennyson Avenue, Bilton, Harrogate, that all the options would be considered, including prison.

Caroline Midgley, prosecuting, said Mr Lydon had been renting a room from Armour for about 18 months.

In March, he had met him on the stairs and Armour had repeatedly demanded: "Where's the rent?''

She said Armour had said he was sick of the state of Mr Lydon's room and hit him hard on the head, knocking him against the banister before punching him in the face.

He then kicked Mr Lydon in the face and head up to 14 times, she said.