EXCLUSIVE

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.”

"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" – a canterbury resident

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.