A man who threatened to stab housing staff trying to evict his family has walked out of his house -- ending a stand-off that lasted almost 24 hours.
Bobby Ahmed, 23, of Overmead Green, Blackbird Leys, barricaded himself into the house when bailiffs arrived to evict him, his partner Vicki Harbert and their 20-month-old son Kyrone on June 4.
Bobby Ahmed with his son Kyrone
Ms Harbert left with her son voluntarily, but Mr Ahmed remained defiant.
But at 4.30pm on June 5, Mr Ahmed is understood to have given up his protest, after the council reached a settlement with Ms Harbert.
Oxford City Council claimed rent had not been paid for two years, and was granted a court order allowing repossession of the home, which has now been carried out.
The family said rent should have been paid by Housing Benefits staff.
After a six-hour stand-off between Mr Ahmed and police on June 4, police and the council agreed not raid the house until they had spoken to Mr Ahmed -- who recently returned to Oxford after serving 15-months in prison for beating up a goalkeeper on a football pitch.
Council spokesman David Penney said the family could ask for emergency housing while an application to declare themselves homeless was considered.
He said: "Anyone can approach the council if they are homeless and, in most cases, the council will house the person for 28 days while their claim is assessed.
"However, if a person has been evicted for non-payment of rent they are usually not eligible, because it is considered that becoming homeless was voluntary."
Before leaving the house, Mr Ahmed told the Oxford Mail he was prepared to go peacefully only if alternative accommodation was provided.
He said: "The council knows that Housing Benefits are at fault here.
"We filled in all the forms at the right time. Housing Benefits are weeks behind processing claims.
"It's a lie that we are two years in arrears. As far as we are concerned, we've done everything right."
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