Eviction row family deny wrongdoing

Jan 24 2007 By Adam Smith, Birmingham Mail

THE mother at the centre of the 'Shameless' eviction row has defended her 10-strong family, insisting they have done nothing wrong.

Alviria Benjamin dismissed all the allegations made at Walsall County Court where her family is fighting a move to evict them from their home in West Road, on the Durham Estate at Hamstead.

One allegation is that one of her sons had grown cannabis in his bedroom and this could clearly be smelt by officials when they visited.

But Mrs Benjamin insisted that they were mistaken and that the odour was the "cheesy smell" of her son's feet.

The allegations, from Sandwell Council, include that her home, on the Birmingham border, had been used to cultivate and deal drugs, was a functioning nightclub for countless revellers, had housed stolen goods and was a magnate for anti-social behaviour.

The court has heard that the council had agreed that Mrs Benjamin could extend her council home into the vacant house next door.

But the council claims she then failed to pay the £16-a-week rent and installed a bar area, fruit machines, a gym and a steam room powered by paint strippers.

Catherine Rowlands, representing Sandwell Council, alleged in court yesterday that one of Mrs Benjamin's sons had grown cannabis in his bedroom.

She also alleged: "Your children have been in trouble with the police including being charged for assault causing actual bodily harm, affray, dealing drugs, vehicle interference and robbery on buses."

She also claimed stolen goods had been found in the house.

"Isn't it true that because of your family's party lifestyle, the house is now in a disgusting state," she asked Mrs Benjamin.

"The house was used as a night-club and you have made some very strange decisions including installing a pool table, a bar area, a full set of optics and even a steam room."

But 48-year-old Mrs Benjamin, who lives at the house with her partner, Glenford Gordon, her nine sons and a daughter, refuted all the allegations, insisting that her family had been hard done by and that their behaviour was not out of the ordinary.

She said:

* With 10 children it stood to reason that there would be birthday parties throughout the year.

* As she had 22 brothers and sisters, many with children, family get-togethers were obviously big.

* The gym and steam room helped two of her sons' quests to be professional boxers.

* She had no idea her rent was in arrears because she did not understand the benefit system.

* Her family needed more money because they struggled to pay the £1,000 per month electric bill.

* The fruit machines installed at her house were a way of saving pocket money for her children and not for gambling.

Mrs Benjamin broke down in tears when Mrs Rowlands pointed out all the grown up children at the home did not work and suggested that she should throw them out because they were were not contributing and causing trouble.

She said: "What am I supposed to do? Their father has died and I am all they have got, how can I throw them out on the street?"

(Proceeding)