Man, 76, arrested as Highways Agency forces eviction to make way for road improvements » Communities » 24dash.com

A 76-year-old man was arrested as bailiffs moved in to evict him and his wife from their home of about 35 years to make way for road improvements.

Police said they took Noel Sims into custody for seven hours yesterday "to prevent a breach of the peace" as the Highways Agency arrived to force the couple's eviction.

The pensioner was released last night without charge and friends today criticised his treatment.

But the Highways Agency today defended its decision to force the demolition of Noel and Shirley Sims' Lincolnshire house, despite their desire to stay put.

It wants to put a road junction on their land, which includes workshops and a repairs yard, to improve road safety on the A1.

But the couple reportedly refused to leave the property, in Colsterworth, near Grantham, unless they were offered more than the original offer of £300,000 in compensation - about half of what the couple believe it is worth.

An agency spokeswoman said: "It is with extreme reluctance that we have had to resort to the need for eviction in the case of Mr and Mrs Sims.

"This decision has only been made after every other avenue has been explored. It is extremely rare for the agency to evict people from their homes when acquiring land for a road scheme, but unfortunately in this instance we have no alternative.

"The agency, its contractor and the district valuer have offered extensive support to Mr and Mrs Sims."

The spokeswoman said Mr and Mrs Sims refused independent representation and offers of compensation from the agency because they felt the offers were not generous enough.

Lincolnshire Police said they were present at the eviction to make sure Highways Agency enforcement officers, the Sims family and the wider public were safe.

A force spokesman said: "Mr Sims had made repeated threats to use firearms and explosives to stay in the property. We had to take these threats seriously.

"Every effort was made to effect a peaceful eviction. Unfortunately, Mr Sims became aggressive and abusive and was arrested to prevent a breach of the peace. He was released seven hours later without charge.

"He was kept in custody for this period of time to enable the enforcement officers to clear the property and secure it."

Commenting on the alleged threats, Mr Sims' friend and former colleague David Bingham said: "There were exaggerated reports of what he said and they have not taken into consideration that you have a 76-year-old man who's under severe emotional and mental strain.

"If you were having your home compulsory purchased you would be angry. The man is 76. I spoke to him in the cells and he said 'I'm finished. All I want to do is die'."

The Sims have moved into a caravan on a plot adjacent to the earmarked land.

Speaking previously about his impending eviction, Mr Sims said: "They've got to come and grab me and put handcuffs on and take me out the door. There's no other way they can do it is there?

"They have two options, either they lock me up and throw away the key or they put me six feet under ground."