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Syrian teen asylum seeker sues council
A TEENAGE asylum seeker who spent six months living in a “dirty” council house is suing Kirklees for up to £5,000 in compensation.
Lawyers for Syrian-born Haval Mohammad, 19, now living in Westtown, Dewsbury, say the council should pay him damages for “distress, anxiety and mental anguish.”
Haval, who speaks poor English and doesn’t work, was awarded £650 by Dewsbury County Court. But his lawyers say that’s not enough and his case will now be heard by three top judges at London’s Court of Appeal.
Whatever the outcome of the case, any damages will be dwarfed by legal costs.
Haval arrived in Britain hidden in the back of a lorry from Turkey as a 16-year-old.
London’s Civil Appeal Court was told he first lived in Darlington but fled due to racist attacks.
After sleeping on a friend’s floor he went to the council saying he was homeless. In January 2008 the council gave him temporary accommodation at a house in Thomas Street, Heckmondwike, which had a leaky roof, damp and mould in the bathroom.
The council later accepted he was in “priority need” and offered him a flat in St Matthew Road, Westtown.
He was given the keys but the council had “second thoughts” and it was another six months before he was allowed to move in.
In April last year at Dewsbury County Court, Judge Shaun Spencer QC ruled that the council was guilty of a breach of contract and interference with Haval’s right to “peacefully enjoy” his home.
The judge awarded him £650 but his lawyers say what the council did amounted to “trespass” in law and the compensation was not enough.
In broken English, Haval told The Press how he feared his life was in danger because of the Syrian mafia.
He went to Turkey and hid on a lorry. He left his parents and a brother and sister.
He described the house in Heckmondwike as “dirty” and said the roof leaked. The damp had caused a shoulder problem which meant he could not work. He was learning English at college.
Haval said he did not pay any rent but showed The Press a document which said that any damages awarded would be used to pay off rent arrears.
This week Lord Justice Rimmer gave Haval permission to appeal and said his legal team had put forward “a cogent challenge.”
Have your say on this! -- Have a Story? Contact the Editor
Latest Headlines
Have your say on this! -- Have a Story? Contact the Editor
Syrian teen asylum seeker sues council
A TEENAGE asylum seeker who spent six months living in a “dirty” council house is suing Kirklees for up to £5,000 in compensation.
Lawyers for Syrian-born Haval Mohammad, 19, now living in Westtown, Dewsbury, say the council should pay him damages for “distress, anxiety and mental anguish.”
Haval, who speaks poor English and doesn’t work, was awarded £650 by Dewsbury County Court. But his lawyers say that’s not enough and his case will now be heard by three top judges at London’s Court of Appeal.
Whatever the outcome of the case, any damages will be dwarfed by legal costs.
Haval arrived in Britain hidden in the back of a lorry from Turkey as a 16-year-old.
London’s Civil Appeal Court was told he first lived in Darlington but fled due to racist attacks.
After sleeping on a friend’s floor he went to the council saying he was homeless. In January 2008 the council gave him temporary accommodation at a house in Thomas Street, Heckmondwike, which had a leaky roof, damp and mould in the bathroom.
The council later accepted he was in “priority need” and offered him a flat in St Matthew Road, Westtown.
He was given the keys but the council had “second thoughts” and it was another six months before he was allowed to move in.
In April last year at Dewsbury County Court, Judge Shaun Spencer QC ruled that the council was guilty of a breach of contract and interference with Haval’s right to “peacefully enjoy” his home.
The judge awarded him £650 but his lawyers say what the council did amounted to “trespass” in law and the compensation was not enough.
In broken English, Haval told The Press how he feared his life was in danger because of the Syrian mafia.
He went to Turkey and hid on a lorry. He left his parents and a brother and sister.
He described the house in Heckmondwike as “dirty” and said the roof leaked. The damp had caused a shoulder problem which meant he could not work. He was learning English at college.
Haval said he did not pay any rent but showed The Press a document which said that any damages awarded would be used to pay off rent arrears.
This week Lord Justice Rimmer gave Haval permission to appeal and said his legal team had put forward “a cogent challenge.”
Have your say on this! -- Have a Story? Contact the Editor
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