Shropshire landlord accused of stealing from tenants over unpaid rent row
Hundreds of pounds worth of property are alleged to have been stolen from his tenants by a landlord in a dispute over unpaid rent, a court has heard.
It is claimed 63-year-old Mohammed Choudhary removed electrical goods – including TV sets and DVDs – and items of jewellery from the house in July last year.
A jury at Shrewsbury Crown Court has heard that Choudhary was said to have been helped by 52-year-old Karen McManus.
Tenants Deborah Jones and Mark Neeson, who were behind with the rent, claimed they were warned by McManus to leave or face the consequences.
Choudhary, of St Helier Drive in Lawley Bank, Telford, and McManus, of Waterloo Road in Edgmond, Newport, both deny an allegation of theft.
The jury has heard that the incident happened at the house in Wrekin View, Madeley, which was owned and rented out by Choudhary, on July 10 last year.
Neighbour Gary Owen told the court yesterday he had been alerted that something was happening at the house and looked out of a bedroom window and could see the rear kitchen window was open.
He claimed he saw Choudhary, who he knew as Fred, putting items on the driveway which included a TV set, a guitar and a jewellery case, that were subsequently put into the defendant's car.
The trial continues.
