A couple flouted planning regulations by converting their garage into an extra home - and then hid it behind fences and a fake garage door.
Officials at Blaby District Council had been investigating Enderby homeowners Dr Reeta Herzallah and Hamdi Almasri since October 2015.
After following up reports of unauthorised work being carried at the couple's property in Old Church Road they discovered a raft of planning breaches. It culminated in a short hearing at Leicester Magistrates Court last week where the pair were convicted in their absence without making a plea.
Planning permission granted for the original housing development in 2007 included conditions stating that car parking facilities, including the garage, should permanently remain available to ease potential on-street parking issues. Further planning permission was also required to build the driveway.
The defendants were each ordered by magistrates to pay a £770 fine, legal costs of £1,252, and a £77 victim surcharge. The garage will have to be restored to its original use.
