I want to be left alone (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

I want to be left alone

Ref. 29812-24HOMELESS FEATURE: Trevor Carlos, 36, is one of four men living under the Wyvern Theatre.

They have turned a filthy fenced off area in a corner of the car park into their home.

Blankets have been put up to keep out the cold, and beds have been constructed from boards and empty beer barrels.

The men moved in when they were thrown out of the Fleming Way car park at Christmas.

Trevor insists the group have not caused any problems.

He said: "We haven't done anything wrong, and just want to be left alone.

"There are no drug users here, and we help out by checking the car park.

"If we hear a car alarm go off, we will go out and check if there is a problem.

"A lot of skateboarders use this area, and cause trouble."

Trevor was made homeless in September when he was evicted from his Penhill flat.

He said: "I went to Liverpool for six weeks to see my family, and when I got back I had nowhere to live.

"The council said I was being thrown out because I hadn't told them I was going away for so long."

Trevor cannot live in a hostel because of his alcohol problem.

"I wish there was a hostel I could go to, but for the time being I just want to stay here," he said.

Justin Collier, 31, has been homeless for half his life.

He lives by begging, and mainly sleeps in car parks.

He said: "The trouble is that the hostels are always full.

"The police have really been cracking down on begging recently, which is harsh. We aren't causing any problems."