Epileptic woman left homeless again after partner jailed for violent incident at their Doncaster hotel accommodation

But now epileptic Rachel East is homeless again after being thrown out of the hotel where she was staying after her partner was jailed following a violent incident in the hotel where they had been put up.

Devastated Rachel, aged 35, is now sleeping on the floor of the home of a concerned friend, and is urging housing bosses to find her somewhere to live.

Rachel and partner Russell Ledger, aged 37, hit the headlines last month when they had to sleep rough in woods after losing their jobs, and accommodation that was linked the work.

St Leger Homes arranged for them to be given a room at the International Hotel, at Lakeside.

But the couple were thrown out after Mr Ledger attacked someone.

South Yorkshire Police said he was charged with three counts of assault by beating and possessing an offensive weapon in a public place in relation to incidents at the International Hotel in Doncaster on December 4.

He was remanded by police and appeared at court on Monday

They added he was convicted of all four offences and jailed for six months.

Rachel was not accused of wrongdoing, and said she had been a victim of aggression by her partner.

She said: “After that, I was put in Wharf House, the hostel near the town centre.

She said she was afraid to stay at Wharf House, where she had been in a ground floor room with no curtains.

Her friend Emma Adams subsequently agreed to take her into her home until she is able to find somewhere suitable.

Rachel is trying to get accommodation near Carcroft, where she has friends, so that they can check on her because of her epilepsy.

"When I was in Wharf House I was crying my eyes out,” she said. “There was no privacy and I was scared. I didn’t feel safe.

“I nearly had to sleep rough on Friday, but they found me a place at Wharf House.

"I’m lucky that Emma stepped in – she has been great.”

She said her hopes of getting accommodation were delayed because she did not have her national insurance number, and because she does not remember the dates of all her previous places of residences.

"I don’t know when that’s going to come through,” she said.

St Leger Homes issued a statement. They said: “Whilst we try hard to help all people that face becoming homeless, we are not able to comment on individual cases.”

Rachel and Mr Ledger had to spend the night sleeping rough on Monday November 2, in woods near Carcroft.

With the coronavirus pandemic, officials say Doncaster has seen a ‘significant’ increase in families facing homelessess – but they are trying to make sure no one has to sleep rough.

It has resulted in dozens being put into hotel accommodation – although a handful are still on the streets.

Anyone who needs an emergency bed provision can call Doncaster Council’s out-of-hours service on 01302 341628.

If you see a rough sleeper call Riverside’s rapid response team on 01302 558014 or email nsno.doncaster@riverside.org.uk.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.