A LANDLORD who is alleged to have squeezed too many tenants into his house share failed to appear before court.

John Michael Avery, of Stafford Street, told staff he had been driving back from Wales when his car overheated and broke down. He was stranded at a vehicle recovery garage and could not make it to the Swindon court, magistrates were told.

The 50-year-old faces 12 charges of breaching housing regulations and the terms of his HMO licence.

Swindon Borough Council, which licenses landlords of so-called houses in multiple occupation, claims Avery knowingly allowed an extra person to live on the lower ground floor of his Stafford Street house. The additional tenant breached the terms of his HMO licence.

Avery is also accused of failing to keep fire exits maintained and clear from obstructions. Heat detectors did not work and fire alarms were not regularly serviced, the borough says. Paper, letters and bicycles are said to have obstructed fire exits and a shared bathroom in the HMO.

The landlord was expected to attended Swindon Magistrates Court on Tuesday to enter his pleas to the charges.

But when he failed to turn up, magistrates decided to adjourn the case to September 11.

Rosie Heath, acting for Swindon Borough Council, said: “I don’t think we have any choice but to agree to an adjournment for a case hearing. I had hoped to move it forward but I don’t think that’s going to be possible.” The case has already been adjourned once to allow Avery to seek legal advice.

Avery, who it is understood denies the charges, should expect the case to proceed in his absence if he does not appear, chairman of the bench Martin Clarke said at Tuesday’s hearing.

Magistrates were told Avery plans to represent himself and could call as many as eight witnesses to any future trial.