A landlord has been fined nearly £19,000 after renting out an unsafe and unlicensed house.

The three-storey property in Cavenham Gardens, Ilford, was occupied by nine people including two children, one being only 18 months old.

Following an inspection September 25 2013 it was revealed to have no fire alarm system, unprotected escape routes, obstructed fire escapes, defective electrical installation, no guarding to the staircase and a mouse infestation.

The landlord Abdul Rashid Warishaully, aged 44, of South Park Road, Ilford, was served an Emergency Prohibition Order following the inspection but reconnected the electrics and continued to rent out the property.

Mr Warishaully failed to attend Redbridge Magistrates Court on July 11 2014 and the case was dealt with in his absence.

He was found guilty of 15 offences under the Housing Act 2004 and fined £18,914.