A disabled man claims he spent seven months living in the rear of his van on the run after being falsely labelled a child molester.
Phil (not his actual name) stated that he was forced to leave his residence of 13 years in Rainham and live “on the road” because a vigilante gang repeatedly attempted to assault him.
He complained to the Romford Recorder that Havering Council was refusing to assist him in finding new housing.
Now, he claims that he is finally being considered seriously after the involvement of the newspaper.
Phil says his ordeal began when he was in queue behind two adolescent females at a convenience store.
After they paid and left, he reportedly told them, “Girls, have a lovely evening. Take care of yourselves and be safe.”
Upon hearing this, according to him, another customer began screaming at him, demanding to know if he was a paedophile.
Phil said, “I held my head and thought, ‘Did that just happen?'” “I told him he couldn’t call people that in public. After a brief back-and-forth, I departed.
“It was Saturday evening. Sunday evening, I had a glass of wine.
According to him, he waited in silence until they departed, but they kept returning.
“He was getting other people to come round at the front door,” said Phil. “I’m disabled. I couldn’t defend myself.”
He was so scared that he didn’t dare turn on either his lights or television for fear that the vigilantes could detect his presence.
One night, after yet another visit, he said: “I waited until they left, got in the van and went. I’ve been on the road ever since.”
The Metropolitan Police confirmed Phil had filed a harassment report, saying that “a number of men had attended his house on several occasions and told him to come out”.
The case is now over, yet there is still a chance of it being revisited should new information be uncovered.
“My body is failing me”
The Recorder met Phil in Harold Wood last week on his journey to a doctor’s visit.
He suffered from rheumatoid arthritis in his lower limbs, making him dependent on a walking aid and preventing him from being employed.
He declared that for over six months he had been slumbering on the hard surface of his miniature van, with his pet dog by his side.
“It’s taking its toll on me now,” he said. “I’m not well. I’m run down. I’m not seeing any light at the end of the tunnel. The depression is kicking in. I can’t do this anymore. I just can’t.
“My disability is getting worse and worse. It doesn’t help, me being in this vehicle. My body is failing me.”
At times, he mentioned, he was able to get a room in Travelodge for only £29, but for a majority of the time, he was staying in his van.
“I’m not bathing regularly,” he said. “I’m also not eating regularly, because if you eat then you’ll need the toilet. There aren’t many public toilets open 24 hours.”
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Phil declared that nearly every morning, at approximately 6 o’clock, he was at a Greggs or Tesco, that had a restroom, where he could also cleanse and groom himself.
He declared that he had attempted to get help from Havering Council in order to find housing that is provided with assistance, yet the organization asked for his bank statements and inquired where his funds were coming from to cover the costs of periodic stays in a Travelodge.
“They’re treating me as the criminal, not as the victim,” he said. “I’ve had enough of it.”