A driver abandoned his battered 4×4 on his neighbour’s front garden assuring him it would be picked up – over a year ago.
The angry homeowner, Chris Shephard, was told that the rickety old Isuzu Trooper was due to be collected by its new owner in Swindon, Wilts, within a day or two.
Dave Cox via Swindon AdvertiserChris has been left with the broken down vehicle for over a year[/caption]
Dave Cox via Swindon AdvertiserHis next door neighbour passed away last spring, and Chris was reassured by his son that the car would only be there temporarily[/caption]
After his next door neighbour sadly passed away, Chris was informed by the man’s son that the car would only be there a short while.
He promised that the vehicle was going to be picked up by the new owner – but then disappeared without a trace.
Chris told the Swindon Advertiser: “After my neighbour died, they moved the car from the front of that house to outside mine.
“I went out for Sunday lunch and it was in the garden when I came back.
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“The son told me they had found a buyer for it who would pick it up in a few days – but no-one ever arrived.
“I’ve not heard from the owner since then and whenever I try to get in touch with him through his relatives, they say they either don’t know where he is, don’t want to know or don’t want to talk to me.”
The 29-year-old diesel 4×4 has fallen completely into disrepair over the past year, and is causing Chris a headache as he can’t move it.
Chris added: “It’s very annoying because it’s an ugly sight and it’s always in the way.
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“It blocks access to my back garden, I can’t put my wheelie bins there any more, and I can’t cut the grass under the car.
“I’ve got scaffolders coming to do work on the house and having that there will be a problem for them.
“My old neighbour’s family emptied the Trooper of all the tools which were stored inside and locked it up. Now it’s just falling apart, the tyres have deflated and the bodywork’s rusted.
“It would take an awful lot to fix it, which might be why the buyer never went through with the purchase.
“I’ve had several scrap people express an interest in it, but I need the vehicle’s documents to let them have it.
“The land is council-owned so I’ve been trying to get the council to move it but nothing’s happened so far, which is disappointing.”
A Swindon Borough Council spokesman said: “We are aware of the car and are actively working with our tenant to get it removed as quickly as possible.”