A homeless man faced with eviction by authorities has explained how his life has unravelled with long-term mental health trauma after the murder of his stepdaughter just over a decade ago.
Dean Jones, 54, has lived in a derelict bus in Upper Arncott, near Bicester, for seven years.
He has suffered with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression since his stepdaughter, Jayden Parkinson, was murdered 11 years ago at the age of 17.
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Ben Blakeley was Miss Parkinson’s abusive ex-boyfriend, who strangled her to death while she was pregnant with his child before digging up his uncle’s grave and dumping her body in it in 2013.
A review into the death of the 17-year-old found there were “absolute failings” in the way the Didcot teenager was dealt with by Oxfordshire services ahead of her murder.
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Now, her stepfather says he is suffering what he perceives as disregard from authorities.
Mr Jones lived with Samantha Shrewsbury, Jayden Parkinson’s mother, in Bicester where they were moved after the death, but had to leave as the couple “were not in a good place”.
He ways in laybys in Weston-on-the-Green and Middleton Stoney in the bus which originally belonged to Williams Racing.
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Mr Jones said: “If you want me to be honest about how Jayden’s death has affected me, my life is ruined.
“If I go anywhere every single thing is a trigger for my PTSD, anxiety and depression disorders.
"I’ve spent seven years hiding in my bus away from people as I can’t cope.”
Mr Jones believes he has suffered a lack of sympathy for his situation and finds it impossible to attend required appointments or complete lengthy council applications for help due to his anxiety.
He claims the district and parish councils as well as Thames Valley Police are planning to move him on under the threat of destroying his bus home parked near Arncott Parish Council.
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Mr Jones said: “I’ve been told now they’re going to issue a letter on my bus then I’ll have 48 hours to remove it.
"They added that if I park my bus anywhere within Oxfordshire they will take it and destroy it. It hasn’t got insurance or tax or MOT.
“I’ve never had the police out to the bus for anti-social behaviour. I don’t make any noise or leave rubbish outside.
“I’m so disappointed and let down by all these organisations who don’t help at all.”
Mr Jones has been living in the bus in Arncott since April 2023 and faced campaigns from local groups who want him gone, as well as from the authorities.
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The council officer wrote they were “satisfied” that social housing remained available to him, saying “you could still access it, if you wanted to apply”, and that he did not have a priority need.
A spokesperson for Cherwell District Council said: “We don’t comment on individual cases, but we can confirm that our homeless team offers support to all people in housing crisis and known rough sleepers in the district.”
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The spokesperson said the council is aware of everyone who needs accommodation assistance through an outreach programme and support includes services for people with complex needs, “seeking to balance clients’ individual circumstances with the needs of the wider community”.
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said it could not comment on individual cases and work with councils to address homelessness, assisting only to maintain public safety.
A spokesperson for Arncott Parish Council said: “The parish council would like to see the situation resolved for everyone’s benefit.”
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