A couple have been found guilty of 26 offences relating to a rental property and ordered to pay a total of £26,822.

Boston Borough Council prosecuted Dr Kola Akindele and his wife Vanessa at Skegness magistrates court.

They had denied all charges but presiding magistrate Kevin Moody said he did not accept the version of events by Mrs Akindele for how the property came to be in such poor condition.

Mrs Akindele had blamed the flood of December 2013 for the condition of the property.

Magistrates heard that it was operated as an HMO but had no licence and had no fire detection equipment fitted.

There were also issues with water penetration through a flat roof, damp, and unsafe electrical systems.

Mr Moody said the fines reflected what could have happened at the property which could have led to serious injury or even death.

Dr Akindele chose not to give any evidence.

In a separate case, a landlord was ordered to pay £7,300 over safety breaches.

John Cashin was prosecuted by Sheffield Council for offences relating to four properties.

Cash, who pleaded guilty to charges relating to safety breaches and for failure to license two of the properties as HMOs, was described as a professional property manager.

The council told the court that he is believed to manage 28 properties.