‘I’m fighting cancer and in huge debt’

10:44am Tuesday 26th February 2008

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By David Watkinson »

FOUR years ago the Hargreaves family had an annual income of more than £60,000 and bought a four-bedroom detached home on a new estate.

But now mum-of-five Justine Hargreaves is facing eviction from her home after running up huge debts since the death of her partner.

She said her "desperate" situation showed the difficulties that can be faced by families if their circumstances change.

Now Ms Hargreaves, 35, is pleading with anyone who can help her family before she becomes homeless in April.

Ms Hargreaves, of Seathwaite Way, Huncoat, is also battling cervical cancer and has been unable to work since her long-term partner Stuart Davis was found hanging at their home in July 2006.

Mr Davis was suffering from depression and he cancelled life insurance and mortgage protection payments.

Now, with debts over £25,000 and the mortgage left unpaid for 18 months, Ms Hargreaves and her family are facing eviction. More than £162,000 is owed on their mortgage.

Mr Davis was earning up to £5,000 a month as a successful self-employed cabinet maker and put down a deposit of £17,000 when they bought the property for £163,000 in early 2004.

He was paying £1,000 a month and had paid off more than £28,000 of the mortgage when he died, although almost all of that has now been swallowed up by overdue interest payments. A county court hearing will resume in April after it was adjourned on Friday when it is expected Southern Pacific Mortgage will be successful in repossessing its home.

Ms Hargreaves, who has no family to turn to, has already consulted local housing associations and is set to join the homeless list. She lives in a detached home with children Jade, 15, Samuel, seven, Nathaniel, six, and twins Coral and Crystal, three.

Ms Hargreaves said: "My case shows that when your situation changes you need to be prepared and know where to turn to for good advice. For us it was a death but for others it could be interest rates going up or mortgage deals coming to an end.

"I've not been able to find good advice and we're now in a very bad position.

"Fighting cancer has dominated my life since Stuart died and the debts have just built up.

"I am not working and incapacity benefits don't cover the costs."

Six weeks after Stuart's death, her father Gordon, 73, died of bowel cancer.

She was diagnosed with cancer shortly after.

Ms Hargreaves said Mr Davis had been in a "terrible state of mind" and he did not mean to kill himself.

She said he was upset because he was facing an allegation of drink driving.

An inquest recorded an open verdict.

Southern Pacific said it would not comment on individual cases.