My dad’s ashes vanished after bungling repo men mistakenly emptied my flat

WORKERS emptied a flat of all its contents including a set of ashes — only to find it was the wrong address.

Warren Dodds, 29, returned home to find furniture, clothes and his beloved dad’s remains were gone.

He also lost his father’s watch, his jewellery and family photos, floor coverings, and all fixtures and fittings.

He first feared he had been victim of a particularly thorough burglary.

But when he contacted his housing association, he was told the wrong property was cleared.

Barber Warren, who had been on hols, said: “I couldn’t believe what I was seeing, the place was completely empty.

“It’s devastating and I am gutted. All the pictures and memories of my dad are gone. The only stuff I had was the clothes on my back.”

His flat in Newcastle upon Tyne was cleared on August 30 by workmen hired by Bernicia Homes.

All the items are believed to have been thrown into a skip.

Warren said he spent days checking churches in case the ashes were handed in.

He is now staying with his mum Jacqui, who fumed: “Is it right that part of our loved one is now lying at the bottom of a skip?”

Bernicia Homes apologised and said its contractor, Orbis Protect, was instructed to clear a flat on another floor.

It paid £700 to Warren for “living expenses” and will rehouse him “as a priority”.

Orbis Protect said: "Due to an ongoing legal case, we can’t discuss any specifics.”