Published: Wednesday, 19th March, 2008 10:00
Outrage at heartless landlord
By David Knox
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Sandy Bell and his wife Liz.
A ST BOSWELLS farmer has been branded heartless after attempting to evict a terminally ill worker from his home.
Landowner Sandra Hamilton served notice on cancer-suffering Sandy Bell when his health prevented him from doing odd jobs around the farm.
The 52-year-old, along with his wife Liz, was told to be out of their remote cottage by the end of February.
The couple was unable to find alternative accommodation by the eviction date – and attempted to appeal to their landlord’s compassionate side.
But a lawyer’s letter followed with a threat of legal action.
Sandy, who has lived at Blossom Cottage for seven years, told the Border Telegraph: “When I was first diagnosed with cancer Sandra was round at my house crying on my shoulder and offering to pay for any operations I needed. She said at the time to take as long as I needed to get back.”
The self-employed farmhand paid a reduced rent of £180 per month for the cottage with an agreement to help out on Mrs Hamilton’s 340 acres at Palace Hill.
But following operations to remove part of his stomach and intestines he was unable to work for several weeks.
And in November the cancer returned, with his doctor saying that there is little that could be done for him.
Sandy added: “After I got the bad news I was told to go down and see Sandra who asked if I’d be coming back to work.
“We’d never had a cross word in seven years but she said she didn’t think I’d be able to keep working and that she would probably need the cottage back.
“Her own husband died of cancer and I thought she would at least have some compassion for what I was going through.
“All I want to do is make the most of the time I have yet for the past few months we have also had this hanging over us.”
The Bells received notice in December to vacate their home – and despite attempts to continue paying the rent, their cheques have been returned.
Liz, who works at Perident in Tweedbank, told us: “We cannot understand why she is doing this.
“Sandy was recovering from a major operation last year where he lost parts of his stomach and has taken a long time to recover.
Homeless managers have now offered the couple a house in Hawick, where Liz originally comes from.
But even with a new home on the horizon, councillor David Patterson is angry with how the couple have been treated. He said: “I cannot believe how heartless this farmer can be.
“I am a thick-skinned kind of guy but even I was moved to tears when they told me what had been going on.”
Sandra Hamilton declined to comment on the situation.
Sandy Bell is about to start a course of chemotherapy to contain his cancer.
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