A HOMELESS woman who set up camp at a town bandstand has been ordered to quit the site after a court ruled she was trespassing.

Samantha Lamputt has been sleeping in a tent in the Caroline Symonds Garden in Ross-on-Wye, but will now have to take her tent down or risk being arrested.

A judge at Gloucester County Court granted possession of the bandstand to Ross-on-Wye Town Council on Friday, June 16, after police had earlier told councillors they were powerless to move her on.

The hairdresser has reportedly said she was made homeless when her landlady wanted the property back for her son to live in.

Prior to taking court action, town council officers visited her and gave advice about finding accommodation, but offers of help were apparently declined.

A judge at Gloucester County Court has now ordered her to remove her tent. She can use the Caroline Symonds Garden, Long Acre and Ropewalk amenities like anyone else, but will be in breach of the order if she leaves her belongings or camps there.

PC Shirley Peters told a meeting of the council on Monday, June 12, they were unable to take any action against her unless she broke the law, prompting the civil action.

Samantha Lamputt has reportedly said she was making a protest over how homeless people were treated in Herefordshire and wanted the county council to rehouse her.

She said she paid to use Ross Swimming Pool to shower and ate in pubs or a restaurant, as she had no cooking facilities.