News-'You've got two bedrooms up there; we're only asking for one'

In a recording played at Peterlee Magistrates' Court, Vicky Hargreaves, of West Chilton Terrace, Chilton, told the victim she did not care about being arrested, while her then partner, Frank Bradley, declared he could walk into the property anytime he wanted.

Hargreaves, 73, and Bradley entered the property in West Chilton Terrace in early July 2023 and took over the spare bedroom. They stayed for a few days before leaving, only to return on 12 July demanding to move into the property again.

The couple had previously served the victim notice to leave the property, but she was still within the legal notice period and their actions breached the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. This led us to prosecute the pair for interfering with the peace and comfort of a tenant.

Bradley pleaded guilty to the offence at Peterlee Magistrates' Court in December 2023, when he was 67 years old and living in West Chilton Terrace. He was ordered to pay a total of £588.50 in fines and costs.

Hargreaves did not attend her trial at the same magistrates' court last week and the case was proved in her absence.

Compelling evidence 

Magistrates described the recording made by the victim as compelling evidence. In it, Hargreaves can be heard shouting that she and Bradley had nowhere to live, to which the victim said she was trying her best to find a new home.

Hargreaves went on to say: "You've got two bedrooms up there; we're only asking for one."

Bradley said he could walk into the property anytime he wanted, adding: "If you want to shut the doors, I can still get in there, no bother at all."

Speaking in court, the victim said the incident had made her feel stressed and uncomfortable.

Hargreaves was ordered to pay £924 in fines and charges. Unlike Bradley, she did not plead guilty at the earliest opportunity, resulting the in the case going to trial.

Unlawful actions

Michael Kelleher, our head of planning and housing, said: "The actions taken by these landlords were unlawful and caused the victim a great deal of stress. A landlord has no right to move into a property while it is occupied and must follow the legal process to evict a tenant.

"The victim should feel proud of the part she played in securing these convictions. We're committed to protecting the rights of private sector tenants, and these prosecutions demonstrate that we will take action against those who flout the law."