Hove Conservative MP Mike Weatherley was in court today – lending his support to a homeowner as she sought to evict squatters.
Mr Weatherley went to Brighton County Court in William Street as history teacher Lisa Cockin applied for an eviction order.
A judge granted her an order to regain possession of her mother’s old home in York Avenue, Hove.
Afterwards she spoke about the expense and frustration of having squatters take over her house and not being allowed to go into her own property.
Mrs Cockin, 40, said: “I’m just trying to raise awareness of this ridiculous situation
“This is not a house that belongs to a faceless property company.
“This was someone’s home.
“My mum moved in there when I was 18.”
Mrs Cockin said that in January last year there was a fire at the property which did a lot of damage.
Her mother then moved in with her granddaughter.
Grieving
Mrs Cockin said: “My mum had a stroke in April and she died in June.”
While grieving for her mother, the family settled the estate and set about restoring the property. They then put it up for sale and received an offer.
She said that the day before the anniversary of her mother’s death, the squatters moved in.
“We’d spent £1,000 on an alarm and a security company.
“Mum died on 5 June. They moved in on 4 June – as far as we know – pretty much the anniversary.
“It was very upsetting.”
