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Teynham mum-of-nine Cheryl Prudham begs Swale council for bigger house

A mother of nine says she and her family are being treated worse than animals because of their cramped conditions.

Cheryl Prudham is pleading for Swale council to find them a bigger place than their current three-bedroom house.

The 31-year-old said five of her youngsters sleep in one room while she, her husband and their youngest child make do with a tiny attic.

The Prudhams in their previous Teynham home
The Prudhams in their previous Teynham home

Mrs Prudham claims her children, who are aged between nine months and 13, sit on the floor to eat at meal times because there is not enough space for a dining table.

"You wouldn't keep animals in the confined space we live in," she said. "It's cruel and I don't think we're getting the help we're entitled to."

However, Swale UKIP spokesman Cllr Mike Baldock has questioned the request.

"We can't keep spending taxpayers' money on parents who don't act responsibly..." - Cllr Mike Baldock

He said: "I've sympathy with the children, it's not their fault.

"But we can't keep spending taxpayers' money on parents who don't act responsibly."

Part-time carer Mrs Prudham moved to the AmicusHorizon home in Lynsted Lane, Teynham, with her family last year.

She said it was soon apparent a bigger house was needed and was reportedly told by the council it would be 12 months before she could join its Housing Options Service.

Having joined the scheme, Mrs Prudham said she was prevented from bidding for four-bedroom properties because they were seen as too small.

"Realistically, we're not going to find anything bigger than four bedrooms," she said.

"But even an extra bedroom would make the world of difference. It's depressing for me and the kids argue all the time because there's no space to play."

Cheryl Prudham at home
Cheryl Prudham at home

Mrs Prudham claimed taking a private tenancy was not viable as she and husband Robert, 28, also a part-time carer, earn just £20,000 a year between them.

She said the couple did get help with "benefits and things like working tax credits", but not enough to cover the £1,000-per-month rent, a figure she claimed was quoted to her.

Mrs Prudham said a solution would be to knock two houses into one in order for them to have a six-bedroom home.

"I know it's possible because I've read they do that for people," she said.

"I know by having nine children I've put myself in this situation, but I can't live like it any more. I thought I could, but I can't."

AmicusHorizon said when Mrs Prudham – who was pregnant at the time – was originally housed, the property was considered to be suitable for her needs.

This is because she had moved in with just three of the children while her husband remained in Manchester with the other five. However, they soon moved in.

A spokesman for the housing association said: "Since she became an AmicusHorizon resident, additional members have joined her household from outside the borough.

"We're working with the resident to assist with her situation.

"We've very few four-bedroom homes, so they rarely become available.

"It's also rare for adjacent properties to become empty, allowing us to create 'super-size' homes."

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