A homeless man who sleeps in the doorway of Wolverhampton City Council’s headquarters is facing an Asbo.
The authority is taking 31-year-old Wayne Starr to court after receiving a number of complaints about his behaviour.
But Mr Starr, who has been sleeping on the streets for two years, claims he causes no trouble at the Civic Centre.
He said: “I keep myself to myself. I think those youngsters on the skateboards cause much more noise and trouble than I do.
“I sleep there between 11pm and 7am and leave before anyone arrives for work. I sleep there because there is a camera and I feel safe.
“I have been attacked and set on fire while sleeping on the streets before. I don’t cause any trouble. This came totally out of the blue.
“I think it’s over the top. When the lady gave me the letter she even said, ‘I don’t want to give you this’.”
Mr Starr used to live in Bushbury and said he ended up on the streets following the death of his brother.
“The only good thing that could come out of this is if it helps me find a new home.” he added.
The council’s application for an anti-social behaviour order is being backed by the police.
Council spokeswoman Felicity Roberts said: “We can confirm that we have applied, with the support of West Midlands Police, to obtain an anti-social behaviour order against Mr Starr.
“Due to ongoing proceedings it would be inappropriate to comment further on this matter at this time.”
Mr Starr is now waiting for his summons to appear at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court.
He is not the first homeless person to be brought to court to face an Asbo.
Prolific beggar Stephen Harper was among the first in the city to be given an order in 2003.
Harper, who is in his thirties, was banned from approaching anyone “for money or alms” anywhere in England and Wales.
And a number of past residents of the city’s main homeless hostel P3, formerly called The Good Shepherd, have been given anti-social behaviour orders preventing them from harrassing the public.
8 Comments
It’s disgusting in this day and age for a so called civilised country to have anyone living on the streets. Give the guy a roof over his head.
Yes he is rude and arrogant and a pain. There is not reason for him to be homeless, there are plenty of hostels in the west midlands, and in Wolves he can stay in, not to mention B & B’s. He could register himself with the Homeless Services Unit and wait for suitable accomodation whilst he is in a hostel. THERE IS NO REASON HE SHOULD SLEEP IN A DOORWAY! - NOT IN WOLVES ANYWAY!
Why doesn’t Mr Starr walk through the doorway and ask for a council flat?
Disgusting. People can come from other contries and get free housing on the spot and our own are left to rot on the streets? Wolverhampton Council wake up!
I feel sorry for wayne why dont council OPEN there eyes and give him someware to live instead of wasting money getting orders which wont solve the problem.
its not so easy to go and ask council for a place to liveas all there answer will be is ” fill in this application form & we will put you on the list” how will that help! trouble is they dont really care as its a job to them and as long as they get paid they are happy as larry!
i feel sorry for wayne too.
i think the council want to stop knocking houses down and start building some new ones!
Many years ago I nearly found myself in the same situation as this man. But my pride and belief in hard work to better one’s self stopped me ending up on the streets. Now I have a huge house, cars and money in the bank and have no-one to thank for it but myself. I have absolutely no sympathy for this guy. Get off your arse, stop playing the victim, get a job and sort yourself out. The world owes no-one a living!
the trouble with havin no home means he carnt get a job catch 22 there is nearly 3 month waitin list for all hostels in wolves, if you car’nt get in a hostal the homeless and social sevices only have so much money they pay for b&b which are mainky taken up by imagrents if spelt wrong soz , but i work with people like this guy i see first hand who gets first pick of nice flats