Portsmouth homeless couple hit with 'unfair' council fines of £200 for leaving bedding by Ann Summers in Commercial Road

A HOMELESS couple say there is ‘absolutely no way’ they can pay ‘unfair’ council fines of £200 after leaving their bedding in the street.
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Roy Ransom and his partner Tamsin Jones, who have slept outside Ann Summers in Commerical Road for the last five years, were hit with fines of £100 each.

It came a month after they returned to the shopfront one day to find all their bedding and possessions had been removed by enforcement officers.

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Roy Ransom and Tamsin Jones are homeless in Portsmouth, and have each been served a fine of £100 by Portsmouth City Council because they left their bedding unattended outside Ann Summers in Commercial Road, Portsmouth. They say they have no means of paying this.
Picture: Sarah Standing (151020-5844)Roy Ransom and Tamsin Jones are homeless in Portsmouth, and have each been served a fine of £100 by Portsmouth City Council because they left their bedding unattended outside Ann Summers in Commercial Road, Portsmouth. They say they have no means of paying this.
Picture: Sarah Standing (151020-5844)
Roy Ransom and Tamsin Jones are homeless in Portsmouth, and have each been served a fine of £100 by Portsmouth City Council because they left their bedding unattended outside Ann Summers in Commercial Road, Portsmouth. They say they have no means of paying this. Picture: Sarah Standing (151020-5844)
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The fines were issued under the anti-social behaviour, crime and policing act for 'failing to comply' with a notice, however, Portsmouth City Council would not comment on the specifics.

Roy, 48, said: 'Everything was taken - all our bedding, carrier bags with our toiletries. We haven't got it back because you have to collect it from Airport Service Road which is a long way away - there's no way we can get there. We had to replace everything as best we could.

'When the Covid pandemic first started we were offered to stay in the Ibis Budget Hotel with other people but we didn't want to go anywhere near it. There have been so many problems there.

'There's absolutely no way we can pay the fines - it will just end up going to court. If we could be found some accommodation that isn't shared with other people we would take that.'

Roy Ransom and Tamsin Jones Picture: Sarah Standing (151020-5819)Roy Ransom and Tamsin Jones Picture: Sarah Standing (151020-5819)
Roy Ransom and Tamsin Jones Picture: Sarah Standing (151020-5819)
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His girlfriend Tamsin, 37, added: 'It felt really awful to find our stuff gone, but I wasn't surprised because they threaten to take our stuff when we leave it out - but there's no way we can carry it with us.

'It's never a problem in the summer. Last year they took our bedding when there was a forecast of snow. It gets so cold.

'We have been offered hostels but I have issues that will be made worse if I live in a place with lots of other people with the same issues, I have explained that to them.'

A spokesman for Portsmouth City Council said the council was 'unable to comment on individuals.'

Roy Ransom and Tamsin Jones 
Picture: Sarah Standing (151020-5834)Roy Ransom and Tamsin Jones 
Picture: Sarah Standing (151020-5834)
Roy Ransom and Tamsin Jones Picture: Sarah Standing (151020-5834)
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But he said: 'Portsmouth City Council will engage with individuals who are sleeping rough to offer support and advice to assist with any housing matters and other support that is appropriate.

'However, there remains a need for officers to respond to those individuals responsible for anti-social behaviour.

'Therefore individuals irrespective of tenure are responsible for their action and whilst additional support is being offered and will continue to be offered to those who are rough sleeping there is on occasion a need to take enforcement action.'

As reported around 200 rough sleepers were moved into hotel accommodation in Portsmouth during the coronavirus pandemic.

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According to the council those who were staying in the Ibis Budget Hotel have now moved into interim accommodation 'in a number of places.'

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