Judge blasts 'wicked' Phoenix Supported Housing directors for unlawfully evicting vulnerable woman whilst claiming cash for her care

Former Phoenix Supported Housing managing director Kimberley Bethell, 38, and director of housing Davinder Chall, 41, all based at All Saints Road, were sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court after pleading guilty unlawful eviction and breaking the unfair trading act 1998.

Despite claiming over £25,000 taxpayers cash between 2022 and 2023 for supporting the vulnerable young woman, referred to as Natasha, the company transferred their business electricity account into her name, signed her up to bills without her knowledge and failed to give her any meaningful support. 

Natasha was meant to be moving into safe, secure accommodation at Park Street South, Wolverhampton, however, she moved rooms within the property and repeatedly given the wrong paperwork and agreements.

When she complained to Wolverhampton Council about her treatment the company demanded she leave the property in seven days despite knowing she had "nowhere else to go." 

Prosecutor Mark Jackson said: "They were paid over £25,000 to look after a vulnerable young woman. Instead they effectively harassed her and then unlawfully evicted her. They could not have cared if she had ended up living out of a cardboard box. They told her to leave the property in seven days.

"This company has earnt fortunes from Wolverhampton taxpayers for doing the exact opposite of how they treated Natasha. They caused her massive anxiety which resulted in her thinking about taking her own life. This is not some distant case of corporate liability, these directors were involved in the day to day actions and decisions which led to this prosecution."

Judge Recorder Joanne Barker told the pair: "You took advantage of a vulnerable person, the very person that you and your company that you claimed to assist and support.

"Having taken taxpayers money to care for and support vulnerable people you caused stress to one of those people. Instead of caring and supporting her, you withheld the care you were paid to give her. You bullied her, you harassed her, all whilst claiming to be there to support her.

"You abused the trust placed in you, you eventually evicted her, you caused her already vulnerable state to worsen, to such an extent I am told she contemplated suicide."

She added: "What you did was thoroughly wicked, you should be ashamed of yourselves. You should have helped her but instead you bullied her. Your actions were done knowingly, willingly and deliberately. 

"You knew she was vulnerable, you ignored how your actions were causing her untold anxiety, all whilst being paid to protect her."

Recorder Barker sentenced Bethell and Chall to nine months, suspended for 18 months. Bethel will have to complete 140 hours unpaid work and Chall will have to attend 25 rehabilitation days. They were both ordered to pay Natasha £1,500 within 12 months.  

The company was fined £10,000 and will have to pay £15,000 towards the legal costs of Wolverhampton Council, which brought the prosecution.  

Mr Jackson said Wolverhampton Council is reviewing its dealings with Phoenix Supported Housing, which is a Community Interest Company (CIC) established to benefit the community, rather than private shareholders. Their turnover for for 2022 was £244,255 and for 2023 was £215,778. 

On Wolverhampton Council's website, Phoenix Supported Housing promised to care for their tenants. 

They boast: "We provide accommodation to anybody experiencing temporary or ongoing conditions in a harmful environment. We aim to ensure immediate accommodation is given to those in need, allowing them to improve their situation from a safe and stable environment."

In mitigation, Guram Ahmed told the court, the company had over 40 properties and there had only been a problem with one tenant. He said they pleaded guilty and had shown remorse for their actions.