WILHEMENA ROACH is a virtual prisoner on the top floor of her St Michael home.
The 90-year-old says she is wary of going to the ground floor of her Cadogan Road, Grazettes house, opening the doors, sitting on the porch or even walking on the footpath because of overgrown vegetation at the back and side of her home.
“I’m afraid to go downstairs; you don’t know who hiding in those bushes,” she said, adding that a neighbour had to chase off someone who came through the bush and entered her yard when she was at church on one occasion.
Roach said the unoccupied lot next to her home is a haven for snails, mice and rats, some of which have foundtheir way onto her property.
Despite her best efforts, Roach said she cannot get rid of the mice.
The situation is causing major stress for the woman who spent 35 years in England, before deciding to return home 15 years ago.
In fact, she said the state of the place prevented her from living in her home for two years after moving back.
“It is not right. It is wrong; you go outside and you’re cold, in the ice, in de snow, in de fog. Now you come back you can’t live in peace. No, that is not good,” Roach lamented.
She said her lawyer ensured that her land was cleared when she was away, but since her return a bobcat went to clear the adjacent property only once.
Roach said every time she called the authorities they would come and clear just a small area, which still left her vulnerable to would-be intruders.
She said the other problem was that nobody seemed to know who the land belonged to. (YB)
