EXCLUSIVE

by Paul Hooper

phooper@thekmgroup.co.uk

Homeless Kevin Gore has lost his battle with the council to make his home in a disused cemetery near Canterbury.

Out-of-work plasterer Mr Gore, 48, had pitched his tent on a non-conformist burial ground near Wincheap’s King’s Head Pub.

But Canterbury City Council has now won an order evicting him immediately - despite a plea for a stay of execution to a county court judge.

Mr Gore said he had tidied up the land, clearing bottles, and syringes and taken care to smarten up the gravestones.

He told District Judge Christopher Cagney: “ I know I am trespassing but what harm am I doing?

"No-one from the council had been to the site in 15 years, and yet as soon as I pitched my tent there people started complaining.

“I didn’t break in. The gate was open and I pitched my tent out of sight and started to clean the place up because it was an eyesore.

"I have enhanced the place and I have enjoyed reading the epitaphs on the gravestones and stuff like that.”

Three local residents had written letters in support of Mr Gore, which praised him for “being very careful not to cause trouble.”

Another Canterbury resident wrote: “Knowing Kevin has enriched my life. He is friendly, compassionate, hospitable and in many ways a father-figure to many of his vulnerably housed friends.”

Another praised Kevin for looking after the place “better than the council” and was a regular visitor to Canterbury’s Vineyard Christian Fellowship.

Mr Gore - who has been homeless for more than eight years after the break-up of a relationship - asked the court to give him until the end of the year to find a new home.

But council senior solicitor Pauline Goldsack asked for an immediate eviction because of complaints from people living nearby.

The judge told him: “I have great sympathy but my hands are tied. You are trespassing. But I wish you well for the future.”

After the 15-minute hearing, Mr Gore said: “I am upset but I really appreciated that the judge listened to my case.

“What I will do now? I have no idea. I am not a travellers I am a victim of circumstance and I would love to have a place of my own.”

Court bailiffs are expected to visit the site in the next few days.