A rogue landlady has been convicted of illegally evicting tenants during a decade-long campaign of violence, theft and vandalism.
Sohila Tamiz, of Flint Lane, Lenham, even helped organise a gang of 10 to douse one man in petrol and smash his teeth, the trial at Canterbury Crown Court heard.
Tenants at flats in Athelstan Road, Margate, saw locks changed, toilets broken, flooring removed, electricity sabotaged and masked men ordering them to leave between 2011 and 2021.
Some were forced to go without heating and evicted after falsely having drugs pinned on them.
In what Thanet Council believes is the largest prosecution of its kind for eviction offences, Tamiz was found guilty on five counts of conspiring to unlawfully evict a tenant, eight counts of conspiring to, or interfering with, the peace or comfort of a residential occupier, and one count of conspiring to burgle.
Her son Pedram Tamiz was found guilty of two counts of conspiring to unlawfully evict a tenant, and five counts of conspiring to, or interfering with, the peace or comfort of a residential occupier.
Enforcer Adam McChesney, of Gloucester Avenue, Margate, was found guilty of two counts of conspiring to unlawfully evict a tenant, and three counts of conspiring to interfere with the peace or comfort of a residential occupier.
Agent Kasem El Darrat, of Athelstan Road, Margate, was found guilty of one count of conspiring to unlawfully evict a tenant, and one count of conspiring to interfere with the peace or comfort of a residential occupier.
Read more: How to handle the evictions process.
Councillor Jill Bayford, cabinet member for housing, says: 'We hope that this outcome sends out the serious message to other landlords in the district and further afield that criminal activity, or any intimidatory or threatening behaviour towards tenants, will not be tolerated, but will instead be routinely prosecuted.'�
The council is now gathering victim statements ahead of sentencing, which is due to take place on 10th October.
Read more about Margate.
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