BRITAIN’S worst hoarder has been evicted from her home today and says she is now forced to live in a van with her cats.
Susan Ralphs, 70, was booted out of her home in the Welsh mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog after cops and bailiffs swooped.
Susan Ralphs was evicted today after bailiffs and cops swooped[/caption]
The pensioner’s home was piled high with belongings, with firefighters claiming her home was a hazard in the worst case of hoarding they have ever seen.
Retired artist and beauty therapist Susan barricaded her home before letting in the bailiffs, who were hired by housing association Adra.
Before being evicted Susan said: ”I feel like a donkey dragged 400 miles through the Sahara then being kicked and punched instead of being able to reach the oasis for water.
“I’m so happy here with my cats and their feline friends. My neighbours are animal lovers, too.
‘NO ONE IS HELPING ME’
“I’m a quiet and submissive spinster just getting over a run of bad luck. I don’t smoke, drink or take drugs – but the system has walked out on me. No one is helping me.”
One bystander said : “It’s all very sad.”
Three police officers turned up and the locks on her former home were changed.
Pictures today showed the OAP leaving the property after cops, bailiffs and the housing trust evicted her.
A judge ruled Susan should be evicted and could not appeal the decision, but Susan has vowed to get her home back.
The OAP was led from the property after being turfed out[/caption]
Susan added: “I don’t want to be re-housed, just to regain the home I’ve enjoyed for the last four years with my three lovely cats.
“I’m 70, a retired professional and I’d like some respect for my dignity and sanity. I had a sleepless night hoping for a last-minute change of mind.”
Susan has turned to her MP Liz Saville Roberts for advice.
Ms Roberts said : “I will do everything I can to help her. No one wants to see a 70-year-old in the street. What she needs is some intensive support and to be able to keep her possessions.”
‘NOWHERE TO GO’
Speaking before today’s eviction, Susan said: “They are evicting me just when I started to get my health back and I was going to sort the house out.
“I was given eight weeks to do so by Adra, and I was going to do it, but sadly my health failed.
“When they evict me on Monday, I will have nowhere else to go, and all I want is to sit in my beloved home with my cats and see the sun and stars from my garden.
“I am a bit of a hoarder, and the fire brigade officers who have been here say it’s the worst hoarding they have ever seen and that it’s a fire risk.
“Mostly it’s because I moved here from a place that had five bedrooms, so I have lots of bags of clothes, bedding and curtains, but I am very hygienic.”
I am a bit of a hoarder, and the fire brigade officers who have been here say it’s the worst hoarding they have ever seen and that it’s a fire risk.
Susan Ralphs
Ms Ralphs said she has lived at the property for four years and claimed her hoarding problem started as she suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and had a “tough upbringing”.
She said: “I have no idea what is going to happen to my lovely possessions after Monday.
“I’m worried they are going to end up in a skip.
“I just wish someone could help me not get evicted, as I’m a good and kind person who has gone out of my way to help others.
“This is all so traumatic for me.”
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A spokesperson for Adra said: “Our priority is always to support and sustain tenancies and we work with partner agencies to try and prevent homelessness.
“We only take legal action as a last resort.
“In this case, the court decided that the granting of possession was reasonable and proportionate.”
She has now moved into her van with her cats[/caption]
The locks on her home were changed after today’s eviction[/caption]
Workmen from a housing association were seen securing the property[/caption]
Police were on hand as she was left the home today[/caption]
Susan has turned to her local MP for help[/caption]
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