'British Gas broke into my house while I was out' (From Bournemouth Echo)
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British Gas broke into my house while I was out, claims Poole woman
1:00pm Thursday 31st January 2013 in News By Joanna Codd
SHOCKED: Rebecca Manston
A WOMAN has spoken of her shock after British Gas ‘broke into’ her house in Poole while she was out.
Rebecca Manston returned to her home in Creekmoor on January 17 to find a letter from the company in her kitchen.
A new pre-payment meter had been fitted outside.
“I asked my husband Jonathan if he had been home to let them in. He said he hadn’t been.
“When I phoned British Gas’s customer services, they had no record of anyone coming to my house,” claimed the mother of three.
Mrs Manston says she contacted the police, who were also told by British Gas that no one from the company had visited the property in Creekmoor.
“Five minutes later, British Gas phoned me back to say they had found the details and that they had come out.
“They climbed over my back gate and must have used a locksmith to open the door.
“They had applied for a warrant, for which I have to pay £52.
“There was no discussion about it. They just came and did it.
“I was absolutely terrified more than anything because I didn’t know how they had got in.
“I have three small children.
“Their safety is paramount.
“Someone has been in my house without me being present.”
Mrs Manston admitted she had fallen behind in paying her gas bills and said she had received a letter from British Gas telling her the company might fit a pre-payment meter.
She denies receiving any correspondence about court proceedings.
She added that she had to have the back door lock changed following the incident because it was not working properly.
Mrs Manston has a five-year-old disabled son, twin four-year-old boys, and has to take strong painkillers for a back problem.
“I’m usually in during the day time. I sleep a lot and could have been upstairs,” she said.
A spokeswoman for British Gas said: “We did not receive any payment on Mrs Manston’s gas account for a considerable period of time.
“We contacted Mrs Manston more than 10 times to try to agree a repayment plan.
“As a last resort we applied to the court for a warrant to fit a prepayment meter.
“Mrs Manston was informed of the court date but did not attend.
“The meter-fitter had to enter her home to check that all devices were working correctly after installing the meter externally.
“Mrs Manston’s property was left secure.”
Comments(47)
djd
says...
1:37pm Thu 31 Jan 13
British Gas obtained a warrant and entered her property under that warrant and changed her meter.
She should think herself lucky they didn't cut her off. At least she can get gas and pay for it, something she had obviously not done previously.
I really don't know wht you run this story.
homerjsimpson1979
says...
1:39pm Thu 31 Jan 13
No they didn't. They went to court and got permission to enter the house!!
Must be a slow news day in Bournemouth for the Echo to even interview her yet alone print the story!!
gerbil112
says...
1:43pm Thu 31 Jan 13
speedy231278
says...
1:50pm Thu 31 Jan 13
Seems like a usual Echo story with only the 'juicy' facts stated. Would you not have to have the Police present if you have a warrant to force entry to someone's property?
marketboy
says...
1:52pm Thu 31 Jan 13
djd wrote:No! This is a private company playing God. How dare they break in to some ones house and do that. It's always the vulnerable people in society,who are targeted.They check the post code and get away with it.Well done the Echo,these articles re-enforce these appalling company's and readers,who revel in these unfortunates.
I totally agree with your previous post. She has been warned, she chose to ignore those warnings.
British Gas obtained a warrant and entered her property under that warrant and changed her meter.
She should think herself lucky they didn't cut her off. At least she can get gas and pay for it, something she had obviously not done previously.
I really don't know wht you run this story.
Remember British Gas was fined £2.5 million in July 2011 for complaint handling, that's defrauding and harassment.
HRH of Boscombe
says...
2:00pm Thu 31 Jan 13
djd wrote:What planet are you on?? It's a priority debt. They should have gone to court and asked baliffs to visit not break into someone's home.
I totally agree with your previous post. She has been warned, she chose to ignore those warnings. British Gas obtained a warrant and entered her property under that warrant and changed her meter. She should think herself lucky they didn't cut her off. At least she can get gas and pay for it, something she had obviously not done previously. I really don't know wht you run this story.
speedy231278
says...
2:03pm Thu 31 Jan 13
However, it does appear that the manner in which this has been done is heavy handed. Could they not have waited until someone was actually in the building, or perhaps are we not being told that the occupier denied access which is why a court order was necessary. I still think this story is missing a lot of facts that might explain why a forced entry without the occupier present was deemed necessary.
oversixty
says...
2:07pm Thu 31 Jan 13
marketboy wrote:Rubbish!
djd wrote:No! This is a private company playing God. How dare they break in to some ones house and do that. It's always the vulnerable people in society,who are targeted.They check the post code and get away with it.Well done the Echo,these articles re-enforce these appalling company's and readers,who revel in these unfortunates.
I totally agree with your previous post. She has been warned, she chose to ignore those warnings.
British Gas obtained a warrant and entered her property under that warrant and changed her meter.
She should think herself lucky they didn't cut her off. At least she can get gas and pay for it, something she had obviously not done previously.
I really don't know wht you run this story.
Remember British Gas was fined £2.5 million in July 2011 for complaint handling, that's defrauding and harassment.
As stated above, she was contacted 10 times to agree a payment plan!
A warrant was obtained and she was not disconnected!
British Gas have done everything they could do!
djd
says...
2:14pm Thu 31 Jan 13
oversixty wrote:British Gas had been to Court and given evidence before a Magistrate. The Magistrate, satisfied that British Gas had tried to contact the occupier and that the occupier had made on effort to contact them, has issued a warrant to allow British Gas to enter the property and fit the pre-payment meter. They also needed to check the supply after the meter had been fitted.
marketboy wrote:Rubbish!
djd wrote:No! This is a private company playing God. How dare they break in to some ones house and do that. It's always the vulnerable people in society,who are targeted.They check the post code and get away with it.Well done the Echo,these articles re-enforce these appalling company's and readers,who revel in these unfortunates.
I totally agree with your previous post. She has been warned, she chose to ignore those warnings.
British Gas obtained a warrant and entered her property under that warrant and changed her meter.
She should think herself lucky they didn't cut her off. At least she can get gas and pay for it, something she had obviously not done previously.
I really don't know wht you run this story.
Remember British Gas was fined £2.5 million in July 2011 for complaint handling, that's defrauding and harassment.
As stated above, she was contacted 10 times to agree a payment plan!
A warrant was obtained and she was not disconnected!
British Gas have done everything they could do!
They are not playing God, they are acting within the law.
If this couple had paid for the gas they used, or, at least contacted British Gas to sort something out instead of ignoring requests, then this would never have got to this stage.
You get nothing for nothing in this world. You use gas, you pay.
Morrigan
says...
2:25pm Thu 31 Jan 13
Stupid woman probably knew they were coming and went out on purpose, thinking they would not be able to come in!
At the end of the day, she is in the wrong - and ultimately, all other BG customers are paying over the top for services to cover the shortfall from customers like her who don't bother to pay their bills.
Some time ago after my husband was off work sick for almost 6 months after an accident, British Gas came to an agreed payment plan with us and they couldn't have been more helpful.
The difference in this story is that it sounds like she either never contacted them to make alternative payment arrangements, or made them and then didn't stick to paying it - either way it's HER at fault and BG had every right to enter her property since she has shown such contempt for her debts :o/
InkZ
says...
2:31pm Thu 31 Jan 13
Hessenford
says...
2:31pm Thu 31 Jan 13
BournemouthMum
says...
2:37pm Thu 31 Jan 13
BG were in the right. What were they supposed to do - let her get away with paying her gas bill while everyone else has to? She's very lucky that we have laws in this country making it illegal to disconnect a customer if they have young children in the property. In other countries they would have just cut her off. Non story.
Old Colonial
says...
2:41pm Thu 31 Jan 13
Holland82
says...
2:42pm Thu 31 Jan 13
boyerboy
says...
2:49pm Thu 31 Jan 13
Ms Manston, please ensure you act more responsibly in future - the world does not owe you anything.
jeebuscripes
says...
2:50pm Thu 31 Jan 13
Phixer
says...
3:06pm Thu 31 Jan 13
HRH of Boscombe wrote:Luckily we're not on the same planet as you.
djd wrote:What planet are you on?? It's a priority debt. They should have gone to court and asked baliffs to visit not break into someone's home.
I totally agree with your previous post. She has been warned, she chose to ignore those warnings. British Gas obtained a warrant and entered her property under that warrant and changed her meter. She should think herself lucky they didn't cut her off. At least she can get gas and pay for it, something she had obviously not done previously. I really don't know wht you run this story.
The householder confirms that BG obtained a warrant for entry then promptly put her head where the sun doesn't shine and hoped that the problem would go away.
DemonDiva
says...
3:09pm Thu 31 Jan 13
Well done, with 3 small children! That takes some doing. And if hubby wasn't in when BG came, who was looking after them while you MAY have been asleep upstairs. They must have been in school I suppose.
It's high time the Echo actually reported facts instead of the trash they think passes for journalism. The reporting is sloppy and, frankly, irresponsible giving this kind of story, and the many others like it recently, the publicity they seek.
Are all these sob story people looking for someone to pay their bills for them? Is that why they all go to the press?
Pathetic - take responsibility for the way you all live your lives!
contric
says...
3:15pm Thu 31 Jan 13
HRH of Boscombe
says...
3:19pm Thu 31 Jan 13
Phixer wrote:You seem to live in your own little world with British Gas.
HRH of Boscombe wrote:Luckily we're not on the same planet as you. The householder confirms that BG obtained a warrant for entry then promptly put her head where the sun doesn't shine and hoped that the problem would go away.djd wrote: I totally agree with your previous post. She has been warned, she chose to ignore those warnings. British Gas obtained a warrant and entered her property under that warrant and changed her meter. She should think herself lucky they didn't cut her off. At least she can get gas and pay for it, something she had obviously not done previously. I really don't know wht you run this story.What planet are you on?? It's a priority debt. They should have gone to court and asked baliffs to visit not break into someone's home.
.
It's a priority debt (look it up). They don't need to break into someone's house because these are the types of debts the courts will enforce by baliffs or CCJs.
.
Rebecca Manston should report that iPad and Laptop that went missing too!!
djd
says...
3:25pm Thu 31 Jan 13
HRH of Boscombe wrote:HRH, British Gas didn't go there to enforce the debt. They went in to change her meter because she couldn't or wouldn't pay her bills.
Phixer wrote:You seem to live in your own little world with British Gas.
HRH of Boscombe wrote:Luckily we're not on the same planet as you. The householder confirms that BG obtained a warrant for entry then promptly put her head where the sun doesn't shine and hoped that the problem would go away.djd wrote: I totally agree with your previous post. She has been warned, she chose to ignore those warnings. British Gas obtained a warrant and entered her property under that warrant and changed her meter. She should think herself lucky they didn't cut her off. At least she can get gas and pay for it, something she had obviously not done previously. I really don't know wht you run this story.What planet are you on?? It's a priority debt. They should have gone to court and asked baliffs to visit not break into someone's home.
.
It's a priority debt (look it up). They don't need to break into someone's house because these are the types of debts the courts will enforce by baliffs or CCJs.
.
Rebecca Manston should report that iPad and Laptop that went missing too!!
Like it or not, that's what they can do.
Perhaps next time you go shopping in Tesco or wherever, just walk out without paying and tell them to enforce the payment of your debt through bailiffs. See how far you get with that one.
The Renegade Master
says...
3:46pm Thu 31 Jan 13
contric wrote:I take it you think it's ok to just not pay your way in life and let others pick up the bill then? Thousands of people are struggling in this recession but don't resort to the stupid actions of this woman. They prioritize where their income goes and if they cannot pay a bill on time they contact the utilities and ask for help. This woman did no such thing. I think she's lucky British Gas didn't just cut her off, but with children in the house they did the right thing installing the pre-pay meter.
i find it amazing that bg and other energy companies who have screwed people left right and centre and have made hard up and elderley people choose between heating or eating resulting in people dying have so many supporters on this site
madras
says...
3:52pm Thu 31 Jan 13
jeebuscripes
says...
4:11pm Thu 31 Jan 13
suzigirl
says...
4:13pm Thu 31 Jan 13
Letcommonsenseprevail
says...
4:15pm Thu 31 Jan 13
“Mrs Manston was informed of the court date but did not attend."
And she's surprised because????
Beggars belief.
B.F.G
says...
5:04pm Thu 31 Jan 13
One more time,
COM-PEN-SA-TION
LordLilliput
says...
6:10pm Thu 31 Jan 13
boyerboy wrote:Seems it took two silly women to cobble together this story.
Surely the Echo has a duty to report this accurately ? - there was no break in, nothing illegal, it is very very difficult for Utility companies to gain access - a long ,slow process, governed very carefully by law.
Ms Manston, please ensure you act more responsibly in future - the world does not owe you anything.
Tripod
says...
6:59pm Thu 31 Jan 13
Letcommonsenseprevail
says...
7:12pm Thu 31 Jan 13
Tripod wrote:Very good point.
No sympathy from me, because of the people (like this) who don't pay their bills, the rest of us have to pay more!
Letcommonsenseprevail
says...
7:13pm Thu 31 Jan 13
speedy231278 wrote:Yes they are, that is what a warrant is for.
Are they allowed to do this in the absence of the occupier? Not that long ago British Gas had to do some work on our gas supply due to a fault in the pipework, and they completely refused to reconnect it unless the legal occupier was present, not just their engineer!
Seems like a usual Echo story with only the 'juicy' facts stated. Would you not have to have the Police present if you have a warrant to force entry to someone's property?
some-people
says...
8:14pm Thu 31 Jan 13
sammmymac
says...
8:20pm Thu 31 Jan 13
1. SHELTER
2. FOOD
3. HEAT and LIGHT
anything else is a luxury. When will people realise that any left over money after rent, utilities and food is actually a LUXURY.
sammmymac
says...
8:23pm Thu 31 Jan 13
lelbel
says...
8:45pm Thu 31 Jan 13
cherrylightning
says...
12:21am Fri 1 Feb 13
Adrian XX
says...
6:58am Fri 1 Feb 13
Controversial But True
says...
9:33am Fri 1 Feb 13
Better than a payday loan!!!
Wetfish
says...
9:34am Fri 1 Feb 13
Some people just don't think "
The Liberal
says...
9:58am Fri 1 Feb 13
stevobath
says...
1:55pm Fri 1 Feb 13
HRH of Boscombe wrote:This only happens if you ignore letter after letter.
djd wrote:What planet are you on?? It's a priority debt. They should have gone to court and asked baliffs to visit not break into someone's home.
I totally agree with your previous post. She has been warned, she chose to ignore those warnings. British Gas obtained a warrant and entered her property under that warrant and changed her meter. She should think herself lucky they didn't cut her off. At least she can get gas and pay for it, something she had obviously not done previously. I really don't know wht you run this story.
I know this as it happened to me but it was Southern Electric who took the action.
I was mentally ill for some time & didn't pay my quarterly bills & so they requested that I let them call to install a pre payment meter.Some three months later I came home to find the same thing had happened.They charged me for the lock smith too!
Totally MY FAULT even though there was mitigating circumstances.I ignored their letters so that they done exactly what they had said they would do.I find it hard to believe this lady hadn't recieved plenty of warning notices?
Best to contact these firms if you are having difficulties.Usually an easy compromise can be agreed upon.
Can't see why this lady has bothered running to the Echo?
As I've already stated they don't just turn up out of the blue.You DO get plenty of chances!
stevobath
says...
2:01pm Fri 1 Feb 13
A locksmith is used & they HAVE to leave your premises secure along with relevant paperwork explaining exactly whats gone on.Incidently £52 is cheap...I payed over £115 & that was in 1999.Hope shes learnt that burying your head in the sand & ignoring things costs you more in the end!
GAHmusic
says...
5:35pm Fri 1 Feb 13
BournemouthMum wrote:I think the story subjects are allowed to write their own headlines in the echo :-)
The headline is misleading. I thought that someone from British Gas had burgled her home or something similar!
BG were in the right. What were they supposed to do - let her get away with paying her gas bill while everyone else has to? She's very lucky that we have laws in this country making it illegal to disconnect a customer if they have young children in the property. In other countries they would have just cut her off. Non story.
JackJohnson
says...
9:19pm Fri 1 Feb 13
Silly woman.
MMM444
says...
3:49pm Sat 2 Feb 13
Old Colonial wrote:Be patient, it's on its way, get the popcorn ready
And why no 4 minute video in support, like the 'cyclist and crutch wielder' story?
The Renegade Master says...
1:30pm Thu 31 Jan 13