Compulsive hoarder Brian Clenshaw evicted from home after court order
Brian Clenshaw outside
his Mt Ephraim home after his eviction
by James Snaith
A compulsive hoarder has been evicted from his property after
losing a court battle.
Brian Clenshaw’s landlord feared his huge collection of
newspapers, magazines and books had become a fire hazard at the
flat, in Mount Ephraim, and a threat to the building's safety.
A.E.Chattell & Sons, whose offices are based in the building
where Brian lives, won an order last year from Tunbridge Wells
County Court for him to be evicted.
Despite now being officially homeless the 52-year-old said he
wanted to look at the eviction in a positive light to help put an
end to his hoarding days.
He said: “One day I’d like to come back and shake hands with
(landlord) James Chattell and say thank you because I was in a
rut.
"This is a turning point, it’s a watershed in my life, I am
scared, of course, but I’ve got my health.
“I’ve collected the good stuff like coins and stamps, which I
can sell, but I want to come back for photos, my degree
certificate, my CV because I want to get back out working.”
Brian Clenshaw surrounded
by his collections when he lived in his home
Despite continued conflict with Mr Clenshaw, landlord James
Chattell hopes he can move on with his life.
He said: “We are desperately sorry we have had to take this
action to evict Brian. We wish him the very best for the
future.
“The flat was a real fire risk, in terms of protecting the
building and other occupiers of the building we have had to take
this action to make the building safe.”
Brian Clenshaw talks
about his eviction. Video by James Snaith
Mr Clenshaw, who believes he suffers from Obsessive Hoarding
Syndrome, claims his obsession became uncontrollable when a serious
cycling accident dramatically changed his life in 1997.
He said: "I was run over by a 10 tonne lorry, which left me with
a smashed pelvis, impotent and incontinent.”
"I could have walked away with £189,000, but my lawyers said I
should have gone to the High Court to get more money, but they
stuffed it and I didn’t get a penny.
"That’s when I started struggling and that’s when the hoarding
took off.
"I was buying all sorts of things from magazines, books, CDs and
DVDs. I started a serious coin collection, spending hundreds of
pounds and collecting stamps.
"I was in denial at not having this £189,000."
Mr Clenshaw has now moved into a local hotel for two weeks until
he can find a permanent location to live.
13/02/13
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