Fire threat from intimidating tenant

The tenant, one Patrick Norman Tolmie caused £500 worth of damage to the property, smashing walls and ceilings with a hammer, before sending messages to his landlord saying ‘he was lucky he didn’t set fire to the property.’ Tolmie has two previous convictions for arson.

The damage came following the landlord issuing notice to Tolmie, who had reached the end of his six month tenancy agreement. The landlord was looking to move back into the property himself, and served a section 21, giving Tolmie the required notice to vacate the property.

Upon receiving the notice, Teesside Magistrates Court heard how Tolmie sent a message to his landlord stating ‘it’s a shame how it’s all smashed up.’ This was followed by another message reading: 'You deserved your house getting smashed up, you’re lucky I didn’t burn it down.”

Tolmie pleaded guilty to criminal damage and was ordered to pay £500 compensation, and was given a 12 month community order with 15 rehabilitation activity days.

He was made subject to a tagged curfew and must pay £170 costs.