A LANDLORD from Wrexham who burnt his tenant’s possessions has been ordered to pay £12,000 compensation.

Lydia Russell claimed her belongings vanished after Tyrone Holmes instructed the flat she was renting at Green Road in Brymbo to be cleared.

Property developer Holmes, 52, of Kensington Grove, Box Lane, Wrexham, appeared at Mold Crown Court where he denied stealing household furniture, clothing and electrical items to the estimated value of £16,200.

He also initially denied damaging property to the value of £1,500 on the same day, August 18 last year, but after prosecuting barrister Brett Williamson outlined the case against him he changed his plea to guilty.

Judge Niclas Parry directed that the charge of theft be allowed to rest on file and made the compensation order with the money due to be paid by October 31.

“I think common sense has prevailed and it is clearly in the public interest that no more money is spent on this case,” said the judge.

A jury sworn in at Mold Crown Court heard how Holmes instructed workmen to remove possessions from the property that Ms Russell appeared to have vacated.

“Some of her property was dumped on the pavement outside and some of it was taken away,” said Mr Williamson.

As a result criminal damage was caused and she [Ms Russell] never saw some of her possessions again.”

The court heard Ms Russell had been a tenant for six months and during her occupation a window was smashed and her boyfriend was cautioned for growing cannabis.

She was also a month behind with her rent and Mr Williamson noted: “It is likely these types of issues led the defendant taking the actions he did.

"But he was a man who knew he could behave towards his tenant in the way he did.”

Holmes texted Ms Russell to say her “stuff” had been thrown out.

Her sister went to confront the landlord at his house and saw “three big lads” standing outside near a white van and a flatbed truck.

She [the sister] said two men were burning items in the back garden which appeared to have been taken from the flat.

When he was asked why he had seized the belongings, Holmes was alleged to have said: “I can do what the f..k I want. I’m the landlord.”

He told the police when he went around to the flat the window had not been fixed and the property was in a mess with items strewn around.

He insisted Ms Russell had moved out the week before and, he claimed, had told a workman she wanted items of little value cleared up.

There was a washing machine and sofa and everything else was rubbish.

If there had been anything of value he would have put it to one side, he said.