A MAN who slept rough on Oxford’s largest estate for five years said his new council house has changed his life.

Ferrol Steel said his quality of life had improved “dramatically” since he moved into his one-bedroom flat in Sandy Lane, Blackbird Leys, almost a year ago.

The 49-year-old father-of-two said all he needed now was a friend as he felt lonely following the breakdown of his relations with his family and friends.

Last year, Mr Steel was living in an overgrown alleyway off Sandy Lane, behind a row of houses.

He slept on a stack of dirty mattresses and blankets and kept residents awake by singing late into the night, and was also seen rummaging through bins.

Prior to that, residents had seen him living in a bush near the alleyway.

Residents said he feels a close connection to Sandy Lane as his mother lived there before her death.

Mr Steel, once dubbed the ‘Bushman of Blackbird Leys’, said: “I have got everything someone needs in life now. I’m very happy. Being homeless was dreadful.

“Moving here was a new beginning for me. It’s dramatically improved my life. It’s lovely to have a bed.

“I want to get back to good health before I start replanning my future.

“I want to recover from hypothermia which I had when I was homeless, and flu and insect bites. I still have a lot of aches and pains.”

Jamaican-born Mr Steel said he also wanted to make new friends.

He said: “Hopefully now I can meet someone who understands me and who I can relate to and communicate with.”

Mr Steel said he had slept every night in his new home since he moved in December last year, although police said officers still had reports of him sleeping rough and had recorded more than 12 incidents of Mr Steel begging at Littlemore Mental Health Centre, in Littlemore, since December.

But Mr Steel said: “I know I’m not allowed to go back there anymore.”

Oxford City Council had persistently tried to rehouse Mr Steel while he was homeless, but said it could not force him to take up offers of help.

Last night, spokesman Annette Cunningham said: “Ferrol Steel is still the tenant of the property and we are not aware of any issues with the tenancy.”

One 55-year-old neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: “We don’t hear from Ferrol any more since he’s been living in the house.

“He hasn’t been in the alleyway for months.”

Blackbird Leys councillor Val Smith said: “We are all pleased that Ferrol has managed to turn round his life. The council does a lot of of intervention work and this is one of many stories that show their hard work pays off.”