A gang of 'caring' squatters have pledged to finally move out of a heavily pregnant woman's home because they 'felt bad' that they had caused her so much stress.
The 11-strong group, who invaded the West Hampstead home, promised to move out an hour before Katun Cockerell's husband, consultant neurologist Oliver, was due to go to court to secure an eviction order.
They had invaded the home, before the pair had a chance to move in from their St John Wood's flat, and refused to leave - despite Mrs Cockerell's pleas that the stress may harm her unborn child.
Evicted: Masked squatters who have been given 24 hours notice to leave the West Hampstead house - but said they would leave as they are 'caring'
Victory: A group of squatters promised to move out an hour before Katun Cockerell's husband Oliver was due to go to court to secure an eviction order;
They even turned down the couple's offer of £500 to leave, instead demanding more and changing the locks.
But after hearing that the Natwest financial advisor, 35, feared the stress and her rising blood pressure could cause complications in the birth of her first child, they have promised to get out.
Speaking at the property, one of the squatters, a 23-year-old Scotsman who gave his name as Craig, told the Evening Standard that after hearing what their actions were doing to the Mrs Cockerell, they 'felt bad'.
'We will leave the house as we found it, wash the floors and make sure everything is tidy. Some squatters don’t care but we do, so that’s why we are leaving,' he said.
Mr Cockerell, 49, had asked police to intervene, but had been told there is nothing officers could do unless the pair 'prove' that the squatters broke in and it is a civil case.
Bailiffs give squatters 24 hours notice to quit a million pound house in Burrard Road west Hampstead - but they already pledged to leave;
Dr Cockerell, who works at the Royal London hospital and the London Clinic, said that the stress was not good for his wife's blood pressure and heightens the chance she will need some form of intervention when she gives birth, such as an epidural or a Caesarean.
Dr Cockerell went to Central London county court today to seek an eviction order, and it emerged that lawyers acting on behalf of him had not followed the correct procedure when giving documents to the squatters.
While legally owners are required to affix a notice on the door and post documents through the letterbox, Dr Cockerell's legal team did only the latter.
Locked out: The Cockerells have offered the squatters money to leave, but they demanded more;
However, granting the interim eviction order, Judge Avent said he was willing to overlook the mistake.
He said: 'I understand because I live in north London that this sort of occupation is becoming slightly prevalent and I do understand it's up to the courts to nip that in the bud.'
Dr Cockerell says he has spent thousands on trying to get his home back, which he only discovered had been taken over when he went to fit a burglar alarm.
'This will end up costing thousands.
'I'm a reasonable well paid doctor but I know lots of people, many of them pensioners, who cannot just lay their hands on a few thousand pounds.
'If you can't do that you simply wouldn't be able to get your house back.'
The worried couple have cut off the gas supply but they will be liable for electric and water bills that the occupiers run up.
Dr Cockerell said: 'It was our dream family home, and we were looking forward to moving in and having a child, and a garden - our current flat is too small.
'There were three locks on the front door and every window was secure.
'You have no idea what the house is going to look like.
'It's going to look like Fort Knox.'
Now Dr Cockerell says he will take extreme measures to keep his property squatter-proof.
The completely trashed home of Julia High, which was overtaken by Romanian squatters, is another example of homeowners feeling powerless to get rid of those who invade their properties;
'I've ordered a tailor-made steel door that only a tank could knock through.' he said.
'Otherwise I'll never be able to go away on holiday or go away for the weekend without knowing the house is impregnable.
The Cockerells are the latest victims of squatters targeting family homes across London.
In response to Judge Henderson's ruling yesterday ordered a north London council to hand over a list of empty properties to squatters as she believes it to be a social good for Britain, Dr Cockerell said he was appalled: 'It's like saying why don't people use empty cars to get around. It is absurd.
'I would like to see a law against the squatting of domestic property.
'If you occupy someone's home it should be like stealing their car.
'If it was a criminal offence we could have just got a policeman round and they would have been out.'
The Government is to make squatting a crime in the New Year
No comments:
Post a Comment