News 17.06.13

Brighton Squatter Sentenced Under New Law

A squatter who had been evicted from a residential property in Brighton has been found guilty and sentenced under new anti-squatting legislation.

Squatters had broken into a one bedroom flat three weeks before a close Vigilance client Veritas Management were instructed to regain possession. Following a defiant last stand by remaining squatter police were called in to remove them under Section 144 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing & Punishment of Offenders Act.

Dirk Duputell, 30, of no fixed abode, was convicted of squatting following a trial at Brighton Magistrates’ Court. He was given a 12 month community order, ordered to undertake 40 hours of unpaid work and was also told to pay £250 costs.

Until September, squatting was treated as a civil matter. The maximum penalty for the new criminal offence is six months in jail, a £5,000 fine, or both.

Vigilance has been tracking developments since the new legislation was passed, and has seen a noticeable trend emerging that has raised risk levels in commercial property.