Garden row pensioner could be evicted after allegations of assault

Jam Imani Rad has been locked in a legal dispute with Community Gateway housing association, which owns his flat over the extensive work he has done to the communal gardens at his home in Harrington Street, Preston.

However, the housing association has now revealed that he has been sent an eviction notice not because of the gardens, but because he allegedly headbutted a housing officer.

Gateway Chief Executive Diane Bellinger said: “I wouldn’t normally comment but last week there was a serious incident when Mr Rad head-butted a member of my staff.

“That member of staff has been in hospital as a result of the assault.

“We have a zero tolerance policy here at CGA when it comes to assault on our staff.

“The assault was seen by independent witnesses who reported it to the police.”

Police have confirmed that they are investigating an allegation of assault, which was reported the day that housing officers went to Jam’s house take down some of the garden structures that the court had ruled unlawful.

Jam has now received an official eviction notice. It says: “The notice is the first stage of legal proceedings requiring you to give up possession of your dwelling.”

Jam told the Evening Post: “I’m stunned. This is really upsetting. I really don’t know what to do. I haven’t slept for the past few nights. It’s made me ill. I’m stressed and I’m depressed.

“This is very unfair. They are not treating me with any dignity at all. They came and destroyed my garden and now they want to throw me out onto the street.

“I will have to take legal advice about this. But I don’t have the money to employ a solicitor and Gateway know that. I don’t think it’s right to treat a human being like this.”