A HELPLESS blind man with serious mental health disorders could starve to death after he is evicted from his sheltered home in Newent.

Robert Jarvis, 52 has, in the past has been found wandering the streets of the town without having had any food for several days.

Now he also faces eviction from his home at St Bartholomew’s because of antisocial behaviour related to his condition, leaving him with nowhere to go.

Emma Haines, a local florist who has been helping Robert, says it’s shocking there is a lack of support for Robert.

“And because of his blindness he receives letters from the authorities for meetings he must attend which he generally ignores because he can’t read what they say.”

Robert lives in a Two Rivers Housing flat, which contains only a sofa, mattress, a television and an American flag. His condition means he is obsessed with keeping his space ’spotless’.

“So much so that if he has any litter or he just throws them out of his windows,” Emma added.

“Robert is a friendly man with some very serious mental health issues, who is being neglected by the authorities. It appears he has been neglected for a long time.”

Rachel Smith, head of housing at Two Rivers Housing said: “We recognise Mr Jarvis has complex issues, which is why we have worked with him, social services, mental health experts, his family and a friend for the last seven months to help him address his behaviour.

“We understand Mr Jarvis is upset at this decision to evict him. We only pursue eviction as a last resort and we are satisfied we have worked with him to try to avoid it.”