Landlord's Asbo breach over mum

Steven Dickens arrives at Llandudno magistrates court

A landlord has admitted breaking an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) by depriving a tenant of her lawful accommodation.

Steven Dickens, 41, from Rhos on Sea told a young mother she could not rent one of his properties as she was under 25 despite the fact she had already been given the keys by his company.

Dickens will appear before Llandudno magistrates on 22 March for sentencing.

The Asbo was put in place after Dickens threatened council officials.

The court heard how Dickens told Alison Hedges she could not rent one of his properties in Colwyn Bay, because he did not rent property to people under 25.

But, the court heard, she had already been given the keys to the property by Dickens' company only to find the locks had been changed.

The two-year Asbo was granted last October after a court heard that Dickens had made threats, some sinister, against council officials, and had even made references to their private lives.

Dickens' Asbo prevents him from using threatening or abusive behaviour towards his tenants, or unlawfully evicting them.

He is also prevented from attending Conwy Council's housing department.

Leaflets identifying Dickens and listing the conditions of his Asbo were circulated to his tenants last December.

It is believed to be the first time a landlord has been the subject of an anti social behaviour order.

He was warned by district judge Andrew Shaw that all options remained open including jail when he was bailed for a pre-sentence report.