A HOMELESS man who was set upon and stabbed in the face as he slept rough in his car in Basingstoke has spoken about his terrifying ordeal. 

Clint Nelson, 52, is currently homeless and has been living in his car in Popley for the past five months with his two dogs after becoming unemployed in 2022.

He was by his car when he was attacked by two men with a knife on Wednesday, 25 January. 

He said the attack has left him fearing for his life.

He said: "Losing my job made me homeless. I couldn't find work anywhere else. It's been a real struggle. My car broke down, someone slashed one of the tyres, and after what happened on Wednesday, I worry for mine and my dogs' safety.

"The residents around here have been so lovely, bringing food and drink and trying to help me. It's nice to know I'm not alone."

However the situation has outraged local residents who have been trying to get help for Clint for months. 

Alfie Wright, is a resident in Popley, whose sister-in-law first noticed Clint living rough five months ago.

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Alfie said: "I am utterly dismayed and disgusted that in the 21st Century, we have people living like this. It seems like there is so much red tape involved.

"He is being left to basically die in a car with his pets, suffering from being abused, attacked and left in minus temperatures, and this is satisfactory apparently. He is doing his best and should be given the chance for suitable accommodation." 

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Police said they are investigating after the attack that saw Clint needing emergency treatment at hospital after he was stabbed. 

A spokesperson said: "Officers are investigating after we were called to a report of an assault in Popley Park car park on Popley Way, Basingstoke at 10.16pm, Wednesday, 25 January. A man in his 50s was approached by two men unknown to him. The men spoke to the victim before assaulting him with a knife. The men then walked off. The victim sustained a cut to his face.

"Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information is asked to contact us on 101 or via our website at www.hampshire.police.uk/ quoting reference 44230033956."

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Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council said it was aware of Clint's case but said it could not comment on individual situations. 

Head of housing and social inclusion Kate Randall urged people to report any instances of homelessness in the borough.

She said: “We are unable to talk about individual cases but where we or our outreach team have been notified of someone who is rough sleeping, we and partners within the Basingstoke and Deane Social Inclusion Partnership will work with the person to offer them appropriate help and support.

"It is up to the individual if they wish to engage with that. Our priority is to help where we can and to do this quickly.

“Currently, due to the cold weather, we are also offering emergency accommodation through our Severe Weather Emergency Provision (SWEP) to anyone in the borough sleeping on the streets. This can be accessed through the council on 01256 844844 or our outreach team at Julian House basingstoke-outreach@julianhouse.org.uk or 01256 322791.

“If people are concerned about someone sleeping on the streets we encourage them to report this through Streetlink at streetlink.org.uk as this information is passed directly to our outreach team and the council.”