New accommodation found for homeless man helped by stranger

A homeless man who made headlines after he was rescued during a cold snap by a stranger has been placed into accommodation, a council has confirmed.

Darren Handley had been sleeping outside the former Mecca Bingo building in Ashford when passer-by Irina Zureiqi invited him into her home in Brabourne Lees.

The 48-year-old says he could have died if Irina did not invite him into her home as temperatures fell below zero in January.

Mr Handley lived with Irina in Brabourne Lees for around a month while she helped him to get his life back on track and find him suitable accommodation.

A diagnosed Schizophrenic, Mr Handley told earlier this year how he had made a suicide attempt in 2000, “breaking every bone in his body” after jumping off a bridge near Junction 10 of the M20 at Ashford.

Earlier this month, Ms Zureiqi, 46, told the Kentish Express that she had no choice but to take Darren back to the town centre after Ashford Borough Council said they were under no legal duty to provide him with emergency accommodation.

The mum-of-two said that Darren wasn’t surprised that he didn’t find anywhere to live.

She said: “He said to me that he appreciates what I did for him.

“When we walked to the town centre he turned around and gave me a big hug and he said thank you for everything you have done.

“He said don’t worry about me and he walked away.”

But now, the council has confirmed that Darren is no longer living on the streets.

A council spokesman said: “I can confirm that Mr Handley has agreed to be placed into accommodation by Ashford Borough Council.

“Due to our policies on client confidentiality there is nothing else I can add.”

Darren Handley with Irina Zureiqi, who offered him a home; right, outside the former bingo hall in Ashford town centre