COUNCIL bosses are considering applying for an ASBO against a property agent dubbed ‘Burnley’s most inconsiderate landlord’.

Paul Higgins Drysdale already has convictions for allowing the backyards of his terrace properties to become dumping grounds.

The businessman, based in Victoria Road, Emsworth, in Hampshire, owns a number of homes in the Burnley and Blackburn areas.

His latest appearance before Reedley magistrates concerned Burnley properties in Albert Street, Bank Hall, and Todmorden Road.

Jonathan Jackson, pros-ecuting on behalf of Burnley Council, said: “If I was to call the defendant Burnley’s most inconsiderate landlord then I would not be too far off the mark.

“This is his sixth or seventh conviction in the last six months for this kind of offence and I will be very surprised if he has paid anything towards any of the houses he has control of.”

Court officials confirmed that Higgins Drysdale still owed £575 from a previous appearance for littering and a warrant had been issued in respect of the fine.

Magistrates heard that in each of the new cases, a street scene officer from the council visited the Burnley homes, following complaints about an accumulation of rubbish in their back yards.

Mr Jackson said that each time photos were taken of the problem and a warning notice issued, requiring the landlord to clear the waste in seven days.

This was followed up with abatement notices to safeguard against future difficulties.

Later visits showed that nothing had been done about the rubbish and contractors were brought in to remove the litter.

Later Mr Jackson said if Higgins Drysdale continued to rack up fines for breaching environmental laws, town hall lawyers could apply to the courts for an ASBO.

Higgins Drysdale, who was convicted in his absence of ignoring two litter abatement notices, was fined £1,050, with £420 court costs.

The landlord, who runs a firm in Hampshire, Urban Locations, was unavailable for comment last night.