Crowd of 500 strangers saves cancer-stricken dad from eviction

A cancer sufferer from Nottingham declared victory over bailiffs looking to evict him after a 500-strong crowd of strangers formed a blockade around his home — forcing them to turn back. Tom Crawford, 63, has been fighting the bailiffs in an on-going battle over claims that he owes 43,000 pounds ($64,000) in outstanding mortgage repayments. Today — six months after the first eviction attempt which saw 300 strangers turn up to stop the bailiffs after a YouTube plea — they were again forced to abandon plans to expel him from his home of 27 years. Supporters turned up to Mr Crawford’s home in their hundreds from 7am, donning the grandfather-of-two’s trademark straw hat with the words ‘I am Tom Crawford’ written across them.

I am humbled by all of the people here.There are not enough words in the English Dictionary for how I feel. All I did was make a little video about what was happening to us and people supported it, but then they came banging on my door again seven days ago.

Tom Crawford, 63

Mr Crawford — who has prostate cancer — retired from fitting carpets two years ago due to ill health. He and his wife Susan, 54, took out an endowment mortgage with the now defunct Bradford and Bingley to buy the bungalow in 1988. But he became embroiled in a court battle over the mortgage, which he says the bank converted into an interest-only loan without his knowledge. Bailiff firm UK Asset Resolution Limited confirmed Friday that they would seek legal advice on whether Mr Crawford could be arrested for breaching the court order.

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