I was victim of legal theft by council bailiffs

A landlord was forced to hand over £1,400 to local authority bailiffs who threatened her with repossession because of a council tax blunder.

Pauline Hinkson said she felt "violated and helpless" after Merton council falsely accused her of not paying tax for six homes - which she does not own.

Even though the council then admitted its blunder, bailiffs arrived at her Streatham home and threatened to take her belongings if she did not pay.

Her husband was forced to give them the money he had just withdrawn to pay their mortgage.

The landlord, who rents out a flat in Mitcham, said: "This was an accumulation of errors by council officials that left us no choice but to pay the £1,400 demanded. It was legalised robbery."

Merton council apologised and gave her £100 compensation when it issued a refund three weeks later.