Defiant Husky Petch has said he “will not leave” the council-owned Dormanstown premises where he keeps his collection of old farm machinery.
This morning, bailiffs called at the Westfield Buildings, just off The Green, where John “Husky” Petch has stored his collections for the last 15 years.
Members of the housing advice and information team have spoken to Mr Petch about accommodation and securing his belongings, and offered legal advice.
But he told them: “I’m staying here and do not want any help off you people.”
He remains inside the buildings, as bailiffs and police look on from outside.
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Mr Petch only moved his collection - some dating back more than 100 years - after a two-year legal fight resulted in him being fined £800 with £200 costs for having his possessions in a shed in his back garden.
It was then that Redcar & Cleveland Council made the disused buildings available to house the equipment.
But he is now facing eviction.
Speaking to The Gazette today, Mr Petch said: “Well they’ve come here this morning locked me up, and told me I have to be out.
“This is where we are at now, they want me off here today, but I have nowhere to go.
“It’s my human right to have my personal possessions.
“I’m not going anywhere until they arrest me.
“I’m not going to give up. I have nothing illegal or immoral here.”
In May, Husky had a hearing at Teesside Combined Court where the council agreed to suspend a warrant of eviction for 56 days.
He says he would move if the council found him suitable alternative premises “but Skelton Industrial Estate is too far away for me and I don’t feel that my possessions would be safe there”.
In a statement today, Cllr Norman Pickthall, the council’s cabinet member for corporate resources, confirmed the authority was “seeking possession of a former depot in Dormanstown”.
“This action is a last resort after all previous attempts to reach an agreed resolution failed,” he said.
“Significant efforts have been made to resolve the situation amicably over a prolonged period of time and Mr Petch has had more than two years to find alternative accommodation.
“Regrettably, he has refused to honour his previous agreements, with both the court and the council, to vacate the site voluntarily.
“Mr Petch was given the use of the site, in 2001, on the understanding he stayed within a specific area and maintained the buildings, which he has not done.
“The site is being illegally occupied and the buildings have fallen into a state of disrepair, making it dangerous and unsuitable for occupation.
“Mr Petch has shown no interest in potential alternative sites and refused to cooperate with officers from the council, who have tried to help him.
“It is neither feasible nor appropriate for the council to accommodate Mr Petch and his collection of possessions at public expense.
“The council will continue to work with the local housing association, Coast & Country, to offer support and advice to Mr Petch to access suitable alternative accommodation.”
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Andrea Turner, the UKIP candidate for the Dormanstown seat on Redcar and Cleveland Council, is among Mr Petch’s supporters.
“I’ve worked with Husky for the last year and will continue to do so in this fight,” she said.
“It’s morally wrong and I’ll stand by him.
“There’s a lot of junk in there it’s not all good stuff, but then a lot of it is.
“If you take away his possessions it’ll be the death of him.
“He has got another house but it’s not livable because there is no gas, water or electricity.”
Mr Petch’s nephew Dean Marshall, 33, from South Bank, said: “He is a decent bloke who does anything for anyone around here.”
Friend Mick Kirwan, 60, from Dormanstown, added: “I know all about Husky’s problems with the council.
“It has all been a complete farce.
“I hope the people of Dormanstown get together to support him. People do not want him to go.”
A statement from Cleveland Police said: "Redcar & Cleveland Council are currently carrying out an eviction in Dormanstown and police are present in a supporting role.
"The safety and wellbeing of the resident and of Council personnel is our absolute priority and we aim to prevent any breach of the peace.
"Working closely with our partners from various agencies, we will take all steps possible to ensure the eviction passes off peacefully, safely and without incident - and with the resident being offered any support he requires."
