West Lancashire landlord ordered to complete 100 hours unpaid work after threatening family with claw hammer

Nov 15 2012 by Rob Pattinson, Skelmersdale Advertiser

A LANDLORD threatened a family with a claw hammer to get them to cough up rent money they owed him.

Colin Bell, 68, of Black Moss Lane Ormskirk, pleaded guilty to affray on Thursday, October 25 over the incident which took place in November last year.

Bell is the owner of A1 properties, which manages or owns more than 100 rental properties in West Lancashire.

A Portuguese family had been removing their belongings from their rented home which belonged to A1 properties on Monday, November 28, 2011.

All the family were involved, including an elderly grandmother and two young children.

During the removal Bell turned up demanding rental money from them and threatened them with a claw hammer, causing great distress and frightening the adults and young children.

One of the family agreed to get the money for Bell, who led him to a cashpoint while still carrying the hammer.

Bell then took the man back to the business offices in Digmoor Parade where the cash was paid. Bell provided a receipt to the family member and discarded the hammer.

He was later arrested and charged after a complaint from the family.

At Liverpool Crown Court, Bell was sentenced to a 12 month community order, 100 hours of unpaid work plus court costs.

A forfeiture order was made regarding the claw hammer.

Following the sentencing DI Marc Nasser, from Lancashire Police, said: “Colin Bell acted in a completely unacceptable manner and this case sends out a clear message that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated.”