Homeless father faces spending SECOND Christmas in car
A DESPERATE father so poor that he only eats every other day is to spend his second consecutive Christmas sleeping in the back of his car.
Christopher Vile faces spending a second Christmas in his car
Christopher Vile, 52, says he has spent “many lonely nights” in his hatchback, after becoming homeless from a failed relationship.
The only way he can wash is in local lakes and rivers.
To make matters worse, Mr Vile says he suffers from a back complaint, making sleeping in the car excruciating.
But now he fears he may not even be able to afford his Peugeot 206, as his increasingly serious depression and forgetfulness prevent him from working.
Mr Vile, from Plymouth, Devon, often fears for his safety, being regularly woken up to find people attacking his car.
One night he says he even woke up to a group of hooligans throwing a slab of granite through the back window.
Mr Vile says he has spent "many lonely nights" in his hatchback
Mr Vile often fears for his safety
He said: “I have a problem with memory loss and have provided medication for it.
The sleeping situation is diabolical because it is a little two door and all my belongings are kept inside
“I can’t remember my children’s names half the time. The average night is really bad.
“The sleeping situation is diabolical because it is a little two door and all my belongings are kept inside.
“People notice (the car) is steamed up and begin shaking and kick it - it is very scary.
“The only place where i can find peace is on the moor at Yelverton.”
Mr Vile refused Plymouth City Council's offer of help
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Plymouth City Council’s offer of support to Christopher was refused as he did not want to engage with its services.
A spokesperson said: “We do not usually comment on individual cases but there are two sides to every story and it is important for us to set the record straight.
“We were only contacted by Mr Vile very recently (on 8 December) and he was invited back for a further interview on 9 December when we offered to refer him into the hostel system, but Mr Vile declined this offer.
“We also suggested hot term accommodation to Mr Vile, but this offer was also declined.
“There has not been any further direct contact from Mr Vile since 9 December.
“If people present to us as homeless we would consider their case and ensure we provided them with appropriate options.
"There are a range of homelessness services available in Plymouth, and there is absolutely no need for anyone in Plymouth to sleep on the streets or in a car.”