Royal Navy OAP, 94, left ‘prisoner’ in his own residence for a month caught on prime flooring
3 Point Block Management paid nearly £1,700 service charge by Geoffrey Townsley but a 94-year-old is trapped on his top floor flat after the lift stopped working with ‘no chance of me getting up one flight of steps’
A Royal Navy pensioner says he has been left “feeling like a prisoner” in his own home after the lift in his apartment block broke down more than a month ago.
Geoffrey Townsley has been unable to leave his top-floor property in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, because the lift stopped working. As an elderly gent, the 94-year-old is concerned he will fall and injure himself.
Even though the 94-year-old owns the flat, he pays an annual service charge of £1,619 to property management company 3 Point Block Management, who are responsible for maintaining the lift. Yet despite this, Geoffrey, who bought the property 22 years ago following the death of his wife, was told that the lift should be fixed by December 23 but it remains out of service.
As a result, the former Royal Navy copywriter has been cooped up inside his home, only leaving the property twice in the last month, when a friend carried him up and down five flights of stairs. The same mate has been doing a weekly shop for Geoffrey as well, Eastern Daily Press reports.
Geoffrey, whose family live in America, said: “Lots of people I know who are my age have got themselves into some right messes.
“I can just about hobble down the stairs, but there is no chance of me getting up one flight of steps, let alone to the top.”
After fall 10 years ago, Geoffrey dislocated his right shoulder. Despite numerous follow-up surgeries, the injury never recovered properly.
He relies on his mobility scooter to get to places, as he is “petrified” of falling and injuring his shoulder again.
Geoffrey said: “I am frightened of falling and hurting myself now I am in my old age.
“I don’t want a repeat of what happened to my shoulder.”
Anthony Cole, Director of 3 Point Property Management said: “We have the lifts serviced on a quarterly basis by Direct Lift Company. On this occasion the lifts require parts for the repair and couldn’t be completed on the day of call out.
“A quoted repair of £937 was given the go ahead by our company on 13th December 2024.”
