Britain’s best known landlord, Fergus Wilson, has lost his appeal against a conviction for assaulting an agent.

Wilson, who is in the process of trying to sell his massive portfolio of properties in Kent, had been convicted of common assault against agent Dan Wells.

He appealed, in a four-day hearing at Canterbury Crown Court which finished yesterday. During the case, he conducted his own defence, heard by a judge and two magistrates.

They took less than 15 minutes to dismiss the appeal, saying they believed Wilson had punched his 31-year-old victim.

Previously, Wilson was convicted at Folkestone Magistrates Court, which heard how he had stormed into PLS (Property Lettings and Sales) in the town, shouting “Right you little s***” at Mr Wells.

It was said, in a row over a boiler, that he had walked to Mr Wells’ desk, hit him and knocked him off his chair.

While Wilson admitted that he had called Mr Wells names, he denied punching him, saying that Mr Wells had fallen off his chair.

Folkestone magistrates fined him £500 and ordered him to pay £150 compensation plus £1,000 costs and a victim surcharge.

At Canterbury yesterday, Wilson’s sentence was not only upheld, but he was ordered to pay £750 further costs.

After the hearing, Wilson said: “I feel very unhappy with the verdict and will now consult my lawyers about where I go with this.

“I am not very happy with how this case has been handled by some in the police force.

“My wife’s and my relationship with PLS ended a while ago.”

Controversial Wilson, a former boxer, has attracted criticism after it emerged that he evicted all his tenants who were in receipt of housing benefit, even if they were not behind with their rent.