A former soldier forced to sleep in a friend's car after the breakdown of his marriage left him homeless has slammed a local authority for failing to help.
Lee Butler, 43, lived in London with his ex-wife but returned to the North East in August last year and has been sofa surfing or sleeping in a car ever since.
Originally from Wallsend, Lee contacted North Tyneside Council to say he was homeless and asked to be made a priority on the council housing list but he says he was told it wouldn't be possible - because he could live with his estranged wife as they are still legally married.
Lee, who served with the Royal Artillery for more than five years, said: "The woman told me she was embarrassed to even say, but that as long as my ex-wife had a tenancy I had somewhere to live so I couldn't be classed as homeless.
"Do they expect me to live with my ex-wife and her new partner?
"It is absolutely disgusting to treat someone who fought for their country this way."
After leaving the military, Lee worked in private security industry and as a bouncer but is currently unemployed meaning he's struggled to raise funds for private rent accommodation.
He said: "I have been working as a bouncer but I need to get my licence renewed but I don't have the money just now - everything just costs money. I can't even wash my clothes."
Lee, who toured Northern Ireland in the 90s, contacted various organisations about finding a solution but the calls initially fell on deaf ears.
But since contacting ChronicleLive, has been contacted by Armed Forces charity SSAFA - the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association - which helps military personnel and have helped find Lee temporary accommodation.
He said: "They have 33 flats in a unit in Byker that are for ex-military. I am grateful I have got something and they are going to help me over the next two years to make sure I am ready to go back to work and help me do that.
"But North Tyneside Council have been no help whatsoever. How could they expect me to live with my ex-wife?"
Peter Mennell, Director of Housing and Property Services, said: “We’re fully committed to supporting armed forces personnel in North Tyneside and, as a council, are proud to have the MOD’s Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, which represents the highest award available to organisations that support the armed forces community.
“We give priority banding in our housing allocations policy to armed forces or former service personnel when the application is made within five years of discharge, or where there are appropriate medical circumstances. In addition to this we have a dedicated Armed Forces Officer who acts as a single point of contact to support people who currently serve, or have served, in the armed forces and their families.
“While I’m sorry that Mr Butler was not happy with his initial contact with our services, I’m pleased that we’ve been able to work with and support Mr Butler through this and will continue to proactively support him where we can.”
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