Jonathan Mason was convicted for looting HSBC.
A Roehampton man has been formally evicted from his council flat following his involvement in the London riots two years ago.
Jonathan Mason,37, was formally evicted from the flat in Fontley Way exactly two years to the day that he took part in the looting of the Lavender Hill branch of HSBC.
A county court judge ruled that he must leave the property following a lengthy legal process set in motion by the council almost a year ago, after he was convicted for rioting and looting and sentenced to three years in jail.
As soon as the housing department was notified of his conviction, it began legal proceedings to recover the property on the grounds that Mr Mason had breached his tenancy conditions.
In parallel, the council’s finance department was also seeking Mr Mason’s removal from the property as a result of his rent arrears, which now stand at £5,695. The judge ordered Mr Mason to pay these off without delay.
Mr Mason opposed the council’s case and had his own full legal representation. However the arguments put forward by his lawyers were rejected by the judge, who granted the eviction order. He has a maximum of 28 days to either mount an appeal or vacate the property.
The borough’s housing spokesman Cllr Paul Ellis said: “Mr Mason’s decision to involve himself in the shocking scenes of violence, looting and disorder that struck Clapham Junction in August 2011, coupled with his wilful refusal to pay his rent, has resulted in him losing his council flat.
“As a consequence, it is extremely unlikely he will be offered taxpayer subsidised social housing by any other council or housing association. He will have to stand on his own two feet and arrange his own accommodation from now on. This is the price he must pay for his actions that night.
“The date of today’s eviction is nothing more than pure coincidence, but it does serve as a timely reminder that here in this borough we make no apology whatsoever for taking a tough stance with those who choose to engage in serious criminality. We have no room on our estates for looters, rioters and those who refuse to pay their rent.”
Photo courtesy of Emma LB, with thanks.
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