Squatters used power supply at empty clinic

Babagena Holkham-Jones, 24, her brother Daniel Matthews, 24, and Tommy Pozzoli, 23, stayed in the Langford Clinic in Bexhill for a fortnight in August.

Whilst in the empty building, they switched the electricity back on and used a number of electrical appliances.

All three pleaded guilty at Hastings Magistrates Court to abstracting electricity without authority.

When interviewed by police, Holkham-Jones said someone had told her the property was empty.

Mark Kateley, prosecuting, said: "She and her brother Daniel Matthews went there, climbed through the window and turned the electricity on, around August 8.

"They moved in about a week later."

They were joined the next day by Pozzoli, who had been staying in Kent, but moved to Bexhill to be closer to his children.

Holkham-Jones, defending herself, said: "We had no choice but to stay there.

"The council would not help us with accommodation.

"We did not break in - there was a window open and the back door.

"I'm quite happy to accept we used their electricity.

"We were only there for two weeks.

"We knew what we were doing was wrong."

She added that they had found the property "in a state", covered in mould and damp with "rubbish everywhere" and that it was in a tidier state when they left.

Matthews, defending himself, said: "I agree with my what my sister says.

"We had nowhere to stay."

He added: "We are sorry we could not pay for the electricity. If we could we would.

"We will accept any costs we have to pay."

Pozzoli, also defending himself, said he had nothing to add.

Matthews admitted breaching a two year conditional discharge.

He said: "I had nowhere to sleep.

"It did not cross my mind.

"I needed somewhere to put my head down."

The three all now live in Braybrooke Road, Hastings.

They were fined 33 each, ordered to pay 85 court costs each and a 15 victim surcharge each.

No further action was taken on Matthews' conditional discharge.