Shameless squatters are smirking after moving into a historic 140-year-old pub and winning the right to stay thanks to a ‘bonkers’ court ruling—and now claim locals are bullying them.
A legal mishap has allowed intruders to remain inside the Baring Hall Hotel pub in Grove Park, Lewisham, in south-east London, which has been closed for almost four years after struggling during the COVID lockdown.
A judge has granted them permission to remain there because a hearing scheduled to address the problem was inadvertently scheduled for one day earlier than planned on court documents. The squatters are celebrating this decision, which has angered their neighbours.
The popular pub was bought out by locals in July of last year with the intention of publican Garry Mallon reopening the Grade II-listed establishment and constructing a nine-bedroom hotel above.
However, those aspirations were dashed when, a mere few weeks prior to the freeholder submitting his application, fifteen squatters came in, replaced all the locks, and began to write graffiti on the outside walls.
After Mr. Mallon filed a lawsuit to try to have them removed, the squatters were unexpectedly granted a reprieve at Bromley County Court.
This week’s Monday hearing included two of the squatters, but the case was postponed since the court scheduled the hearing one day early.
Due to the fact that the squatters were not given the statutory three-day notice period, a court decided that they might continue to live above the pub in the meantime while rejecting Mr Mallon’s possession order.
Sarah Freeman, 21, and Michael Johannes, who would not disclose his age, represented the squatter group in court, even though the majority did not show up.
The duo did not reveal where they had previously lived or if they were occupying the property out of necessity.
Mr Johannes told the court, ‘We have no ill intention. We agree with saving the hall. We like what this man is doing. But we have had a horrible Facebook campaign against us.’
‘People have been spying on us, filming us without our consent,’ said Ms Freeman.
The pair went on to add that they understand ‘why people are upset’ but said they felt dehumanised.
Some of the squatters have been monitored by a Facebook group called Save the Baring Hall Hotel, which is run by residents. Members of the group have shared images of their vehicles parked on the drive and have recorded the gang changing a padlock.
What’s up with these courts these days, Heaven knows.
This judge needs to be disbarred. Another lefty bleeding heart looking for ways to support the wrongdoers and stop people from going about their legal business. It’s disgusting.
However, there are so many homeless people on the streets; where are they all supposed to go? They’re happy to let migrants into our country, house them, feed them, put clothes on their backs, and then give them a home, but when it comes to the people of this country, we are like second-class citizens.
This could only happen in Great Britain, although we should obliterate ‘Great’ because we are no longer a great country. We are an absolute shambles, and people only want to come here because they know they will get a free ride.
There are more rights for criminals and illegals than there are for law-abiding citizens. Britain is a criminal paradise; no wonder millions want to come to our country, where our laws protect and serve them.
The law stinks, and judges only work within the framework supplied. We should be condemning our politicians; they make the laws and then blame everyone else who uses them.
THE MONTHLY MOSQUITO 