Blind man evicted from council home while he was in hospital with terminal illness

The family of James Montague has been left devastated after North Lanarkshire Council evicted him from the home he'd spent most of his life in while he was in hospital

A dying blind man was evicted from his council home, where he had lived most of his life, while he was in hospital.

The family of James Montague, 58, have criticised the council for evicting him from his home in North Lanarkshire before his death. At the time of his eviction, James was in hospital having a blood transfusion due to his stage six kidney failure.

James’ brother Patrick has criticised North Lanarkshire Council for the eviction and said that James’ final months were spent living in an upstairs flat that failed to meet his needs. James passed away at St Andrew’s Hospice in Airdrie, with his family left ‘devastated’ by his death and shocked by how he was treated by the council.

Patrick, 62, told Glasgow Live: “We are devastated to lose Jimmy but we know about the misery he had to endure in his final months and how it could have been avoided. North Lanarkshire Council have been callous and inhumane and they sneaked in to evict Jimmy when he was in hospital, sending round Sheriff Officers and changing out the locks.

“That in itself was a dreadful blow to his morale at a time when he knew he was dying. But the flat that he had to move into was up a flight of stairs and it was away from family members on the same street who gave him great support.

“It just seems that they could have allowed him to die with dignity, instead of spending every day in misery while he was dying in great pain.”

A letter from consultant psychiatrist Dr Laisinghani to the council stated: “Mr Montague has a chronic and enduring mental health illness. Currently, his physical health is deteriorating. It is practically impossible for him to be moved due to him being bed bound.”

James also appealed to the council, saying: “My family has been in the house for more than 60 years and all I am asking is that I am allowed to die here.”

He added: “I’m basically asking for some compassion from North Lanarkshire Council so I can see out my last months.” However, James was evicted.

Sheriff officers possessed the home on the day James was rushed to hospital for a blood transfusion. James was brought up in the Millfield Avenue house before being moved to a housing association flat nearby.

He then moved in with his mum Margaret and dad Patrick, an Alzheimer's sufferer, to help care for them in 2017. His mother died in 2021 and his father passed away in 2022.

James himself then soon fell ill, losing his sight and suffering chronic problems including neuropathy, diabetes and ulcerative colitis, as well as chronic kidney failure. He was also diagnosed with severe mental health issues.

James said he kept the tenancy for the housing association flat because he had intended to move back in. But his health issues overtook him and he was unable to.

A spokesman for North Lanarkshire Council declined to comment. However, they earlier said: "While we sympathise deeply with Mr Montague’s circumstances, we have a legal obligation to follow existing tenancy arrangements and laws, including the eviction process ruled by the court.

“Mr Montague also holds a tenancy with another social housing provider and they may be able to provide him with the assistance he needs at this time."