AN estate agent has become the target of vandalism after people accused it of exploitation.

Someone drew the words ‘Conman’ with black spray paint on the windows at Ainsworth-Lord Estates in Darwen on Sunday.

The vandalism came as owner Paul Ainsworth-Lord appeared on Channel 5 show Evicted! Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords with a 90-year-old man called Alan who was duped into becoming a guarantor for his son, who refused to pay rent, leaving the elderly man to pay the £3,500 in instalments over a year.

Following the episode’s airing last week, Mr Ainsworth-Lord set up a GoFundMe page to help the elderly man reclaim some of the money he had lost.

But the good intentions were lost to many people, who claimed it was not the first time the firm had allowed anyone to become guarantors for others in this way.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Mr Ainsworth-Lord said: “We had the paint off in no time, and we think it is obviously someone who we have had or are having problems with.

“It does not faze us at all, in this industry you always get people who will do these things to you," he added.

“For every person like this, we meet 500 nice people.”

The pensioner had felt betrayed by his own son, who since moved out of the house, but still did not want to pay the remaining balance.

A tearful Alan then agreed to pay £100 a month to cover the cost, but said he would neevr speak to his son again.

READ MORE: Go Fund Me page for Darwen 90-year-old on Evicted! Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords

At the time of the negative comments, Mr Lord denied any wrongdoing and said: “This was the worst arrears case we have had to deal with just because of who Alan is and how nice he is, but we have a job to do at the end of the day and are just the messengers on behalf of the landlord.

“Since we set up the page, we have had threats, saying we’re trying to raise the money for ourselves and not Alan, but I thought we were doing a good job by trying to navigate a situation where people wanted to donate money to him.”

The Go Fund Me page has since racked up over £16,000 which Mr Ainsworth-Lord says Alan is aware of and will receive.

The page reads: “Since we set up the page, some people have contacted us to clarify if all the money will be going to Alan.

“We confirm that every penny raised will be going to Alan directly.

“All monies donated will be sent from the GoFundMe people to Alan’s bank account," the page added.

“It will not be handled by our office.”