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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Debbie Luxon & Casey Cooper-Fiske & Ryan Merrifield

Mum claims black mould in council home left her with pneumonia and 'coughing up blood'

A mum was hospitalised after contracting pneumonia - which she says was caused by black mould in her council flat.

Leela Grieveson, 45, has now been moved to a hotel while repairs are carried out in the property in Norwich.

But she fears returning - unless the two-year problem is fixed for good.

Primark worker Leela says doctors told her her own issues - like "coughing up blood" - are likely as a result of the mould.

And her daughter Imari, six, also suffers with a persistent cough.

Leela said the toll it has taken on the pair is immeasurable.

She added: "I'm trying my best. I wear masks to clean the mould because I shouldn't be touching it.

Leela says doctors told her her own like "coughing up blood" - are likely as a result of the mould (Leela Grieveson / SWNS)

"I want someone to take responsibility for it, then hopefully other people don't have to live through this. I'm very upset and angry.

"The council have put me in a position I shouldn't have to be in. We're in limbo."

Leela says her young daughter now coughs so loudly that their neighbours can hear it on the floor below.

And the mum was hospitalised on January 25.

Leela says her young daughter now coughs so loudly that their neighbours can hear it (Leela Grieveson / SWNS)
Leela is allergic to the toxic fungus engulfing her home (Leela Grieveson / SWNS)

She suffers from Crohn's disease, a compromised immune system and is allergic to the toxic fungus engulfing her home.

Leela claims her doctors said mould likely caused her trip to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

The council have now temporarily rehoused the family in a hotel while work is done on the property.

She says she hopes the council will replacing the walls, furniture and fittings - and not just wipe the mould away.

The council have now temporarily rehoused the family in a hotel (Leela Grieveson / SWNS)

Leela claimed: "They still haven't apologised.

"I'm booked in until February 16 when they say it will be safe again but things need to be replaced and I can't see them doing that in just a week."

Leela says her daughter has missed out on schooling due to the disruption and she has had to take time off work as she's been so sick.

She said both of them have felt better and are coughing less since leaving the flat, and her daughter is so distressed by the set-up that she "doesn't want to ever go back" to their home.

The council has said it is working to address the issues (Leela Grieveson / SWNS)

A city council spokeswoman said: "We are working to address the issues with mould in Ms Grieveson's home and will keep in touch with her to see if we offer further support or advice.

"Repairs needed at this property are almost complete and we apologise for the delay in getting to this stage.

"We have recently reviewed our processes around damp and are making a range of improvements to the way we manage this issue across all council homes."

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