A mum from Kent was given anti-psychotic medication and was called ‘crazy’ after insisting she was sure that someone secretly lived in her loft.

Chloe, 31, from Gravesend, faced something out of a horror film – having a stranger secretly live within the safety of your home.

But she was accused of hallucinating and being ‘crazy’ after she insisted someone was secretly living above her flat for months before the police made a chilling discovery.

The mum, who lived in the top-floor apartment in her 20s at the time, noticed the hatch to the loft was mysteriously open one day.

She thought it was ‘strange’ but carried on with her day until later in the evening she thought ‘there’s someone there, they’re looking at me.’

Sharing her bizarre experience on TikTok, Chloe said: ‘I rang my friend who lived below me in the flats and told her there’s someone in my flat.’

‘No one would believe me,’ she said, adding that when ‘I’m laying in bed that evening, I’m hearing footsteps and someone up there.

After another round of ringing friends, she was told again that it was ‘all the voices in your head.’

She kept going on about it to her friends and even mentioned it to a neighbour despite being ‘shut down’ repeatedly.

Eventually, her friends ‘decided that I was going through a psychotic episode,’ and she agreed to go and speak to a doctor, who prescribed her anti-psychotic medicine, which made her feel like ‘a zombie.’

After two months, she experienced the shock of her life when ‘this person is opening the latch blatantly in front of my eyes one night and staring at me.’ She ran out of the flat, and ended up ringing the police, who arrived to inspect the loft.

Chloe said: ‘There was someone there. He was living there and he had loads of bags and backpacks, and he came down.

‘And at this point, all my friends and neighbours from the other flats thought “oh my God, it’s actually true”.’

Follow Metro on WhatsApp to be the first to get all the latest news

Metro’s on Whatsapp! Join our community for breaking news and juicy stories.

The mysterious stranger turned out to be a friend of his neighbour’s, who she believes was homeless.

‘He put him there and was giving him food, and that’s why he was talking down to everyone saying “I can’t hear anything,” and he knew there was someone there,’ Chloe added.

Although her friends refused to believe her, she said she ‘doesn’t blame anyone in my life then,’ and that she was dealing with PTSD and mental health issues at the time.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

MORE: Meningitis cases rise to 34 while queues for vaccinations build up

MORE: BA passengers fly for 13 hours with a dead body on board

MORE: What I Rent: I moved from Belgium to a Margate one-bed at £850 a month

Comments


Add as preferred source

News Updates

Stay on top of the headlines with daily email updates.

Thousands of protesters will descend on central London this weekend for several demonstrations linked to the ongoing war in Iran.

The biggest event is expected to be a Stop the War demonstration against the US and Israeli strikes later today.

Crowds of demonstrators will march from Russell Square near the British Museum to Richmond Terrace, Whitehall, where speeches will take place.

The Met said the assembly in Richmond Terrace must finish at 6pm and any speeches and amplified music must stop at 5.30pm.

Meanwhile, a separate Stage for Freedom demonstration against the Iranian government will march from Hyde Park Corner in Knightsbridge to the Iranian embassy near Hyde Park.

The force said the assembly at the embassy must conclude at 5pm.

Scotland Yard has imposed strict conditions on the demonstrations.

It has banned the use of amplified sound equipment for music or speech, or any other item to create noise, including musical instruments, sound‑emitting devices, or items struck or banged together.

Superintendent Neil Holyoak, who is in charge of policing London this weekend, said: ‘Officers will be on duty this weekend to police these events and ensure they pass off safely and peacefully.

‘As always, we will not hesitate to act if we see criminality.

‘We have imposed conditions, chiefly to minimise noise and disruption to local residents based on extensive feedback.

‘Those who refuse to comply with the conditions risk being arrested.

‘We will also not tolerate people setting off fireworks which we have seen in recent weeks.

‘Please ensure if you are planning to attend this weekend’s events you act within the law and respect surrounding residents and businesses.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

MORE: Ore Oduba tearfully reveals heartbreaking reason he’s running the London Marathon

MORE: London’s A40 is closed for a month – here’s the impact it will have

MORE: Iran fires missiles at UK-US base Diego Garcia after warning ‘British lives are in danger’

Ronnie O’Sullivan through to 66th ranking final and a chance for a record-extending 42nd ranking title after battling back from 43-0 down in the decider to Wu Yize before pulling out a sensational clearance

Ronnie O’Sullivan made it through to World Open final after a sensational deciding-frame clearance

Ronnie O’Sullivan made it through to the World Open final after clinching a deciding-frame thriller against Wu Yize.

With O’Sullivan and Wu locked at 5-5 in the race to six frames, ‘The Rocket’ produced a wonderful 89 counter-clearance from 43-0 down to seal a dramatic 6-5 victory.

The seven-time world champion is through to a 66th ranking final and now has a chance to win a record-extending 42nd ranking title in Sunday’s final against Judd Trump or Thepchaiya Un-Nooh.

On Friday, O’Sullivan made the highest break in professional snooker by hitting a 153 at the tournament.

The 50-year-old achieved the feat after leaving quarter-final opponent Ryan Day in a snooker at the start of the opening frame and the Welshman’s failed attempt to get out of it handed O’Sullivan a free ball.

That allowed the seven-time world champion to commence his break with the green, followed by his opening black to put him on eight points before even beginning on the reds.

O’Sullivan then reeled off the 15 reds, accompanied by 13 further blacks and two pinks before clearing up the colours to land a record-breaking 153, paving the way for a dominant 5-0 victory.

Follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp

Follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest sports news, videos, features, analysis and much more

O’Sullivan’s route to World Open final

• Round one: Ronnie O’Sullivan 5-1 Ross Muir
• Round two: Ishpreet Singh Chadha 0-5 Ronnie O’Sullivan (bye)
• Round three: Ronnie O’Sullivan 5-0 Matthew Selt
• Round four: Ronnie O’Sullivan 5-3 Shaun Murphy
• Quarter-final: Ronnie O’Sullivan 5-0 Ryan Day
• Semi-final: Ronnie O’Sullivan 6-5 Wu Yize

Iran fired missiles towards the UK’s Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean, US officials have said.

Two intermediate-range ballistic missiles were fired at Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands but neither hit, the Wall Street Journal and the semi-official Iranian news agency Mehr reported.

One of the missiles was shot down by a US warship, while the other failed in flight, the newspaper said, citing multiple officials.

Ministers gave the US permission to strike Iranian missile sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz from UK bases including Diego Garcia on Friday afternoon.

Iran reacted angrily, with foreign minister Abbas Araghchi claiming it will ‘exercise its right to self-defence’.

Posting on X, he said: ‘Vast majority of the British People do not want any part in the Israel-US war of choice on Iran.

Ignoring his own People, Mr Starmer is putting British lives in danger by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran.

‘Iran will exercise its right to self-defence.’

Where is Diego Garcia military base?

Diego Garcia is around 2,360 miles away from Iran and home to an airbase capable of accommodating long-range US bombers.

The UK has agreed to cede sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius and lease back the base.

Diego Garcia is strategically valuable to the US, and has been used as a launchpad for operations in the Middle East for years.

It has a large airfield, major fuel storage facilities, radar installations and a deep-water port.

UK ‘should have acted a lot faster’

US President Donald Trump said the UK ‘should have acted a lot faster’ in giving the US permission.

He has already piled pressure on Nato allies, calling them ‘cowards’ for refusing to offer warships to reopen the Strait.

The Government had previously granted the US permission only for ‘defensive’ action.

When that decision was made, RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus was hit by an Iranian drone.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described Sir Keir’s latest move as the ‘mother of all U-turns’ in a post on X.

The Liberal Democrats and the Green Party said granting further permission for the US to use British bases must first have a parliamentary vote.

The Prime Minister will hold a Cobra meeting next week to discuss plans to help households with the cost of living caused by the war, it is understood.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

MORE: Donald Trump considers ‘winding down’ Iran war without securing Strait of Hormuz

MORE: Donald Trump says UK ‘should have acted faster’ after it allows US to use bases

MORE: Brits told to ‘carry on as normal’ after work from home warnings

Ronnie O’Sullivan overtakes Jamie Burnett’s record for the highest break on the World Snooker Tour by hitting a 153 in his quarter-final win over Ryan Day at the World Open in China.

Ronnie O’Sullivan made more snooker history

Ronnie O’Sullivan made the highest break in professional snooker by hitting a 153 at the World Open in China.

The 50-year-old achieved the feat after leaving quarter-final opponent Ryan Day in a snooker at the start of the opening frame, with the Welshman’s failed attempt to get out of it handed O’Sullivan a free ball.

That allowed the seven-time world champion to commence his break with the green, followed by his opening black to put him on eight points before even beginning on the reds.

O’Sullivan then reeled off the 15 reds, accompanied by 13 further blacks and two pinks before clearing up the colours to land a record-breaking 153.

Follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp

Follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest sports news, videos, features, analysis and much more

His rapid start paved the way for a dominant 5-0 victory as O’Sullivan stormed into the semi-finals in China.

O’Sullivan is seeking to win his first ranking event on the world tour since beating Judd Trump 10-7 in the World Grand Prix final in January 2024.

The former world No 1 had reached the quarter-finals with wins over Matthew Selt and Shaun Murphy.

Jamie Burnett previously held the World Snooker Tour record with his 148 break in UK Championship qualifying back in 2004.

Drivers have been warned of severe delays on the M3 London-bound after two lorries crashed.

A long stretch of the M3 remains closed eastbound towards London after the accident this morning.

The motorway is shut between junction J3 (Bagshot) and J2 (M25) in Surrey.

Rush hour traffic is building up on the eastbound carriageway of the M3, with queues stretching back through Farnborough.

National Highways said one of the lorries involved in the crash hit a gantry, while the other ruptured its oil tank.

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘We received a call at 4am to a road traffic collision on the M3 between junction 3 (Lightwater) and Junction 2 (Thorpe) – as you go onto the M25.

‘We have four fire engines in attendance. As a result the eastbound carriageways are closed.

‘This is causing significant delays and traffic – we are expecting closures to be in place for some time due to debris. Please avoid the M3 eastbound until further notice. Both drivers are out of the vehicles and are being checked over by health partner colleagues.’

Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. Or you can submit your videos and pictures here.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Follow Metro.co.uk on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates. You can now also get Metro.co.uk articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here.

MORE: The ‘picturesque’ commuter town where house prices are falling dramatically

MORE: NCP car park firm on the brink of collapse with 1,000 jobs at risk

MORE: Two car crash forces major M1 motorway to close for several hours

A council is the first in the UK to ban memorial benches over claims they are ‘overwhelming’ a town.

The move comes after complaints from locals saying the benches cause an obstruction for people with pushchairs and wheelchair users.

Hartlepool Borough Council carried out an audit into the tributes and discovered there were 275 memorial benches in the town.

The Labour-run authority has now halted future applications for memorial benches, and the council has suggested grieving families plant trees in honour of their lost loved ones instead.

Locals are split over the decision to ban future memorial benches from being placed in the town.

Daniel Matthews, 40, said his family had dedicated a bench to their grandmother, which was in the Headland area of the town.

He said: ‘My mum and dad had a bench put up in memory of my nan, who loved to look out to sea when she was alive.

‘It was a nice place to sit and pay tribute to her, but the bench started falling apart and eventually had to be removed. I don’t think it’s fair for the council to say Hartlepool has too many of these benches.’

But a mum, who did not want to be named, said: ‘It’s a pain to be honest, having to almost slalom the pushchair around all these benches when I’m taking my toddler out.

‘Lots of these benches don’t just have a plaque either, there are sometimes photos and flowers and teddies. They’re becoming like graves rather than somewhere for people to sit on.’

The future ban also threatens the profits of Teak Garden Furniture in the town, which specialises in building memorial benches.

Owner Karl Barowsky said: ‘Many councils operate waiting lists or limit new applications due to high demand for memorial benches.

‘That demonstrates how important they continue to be to families. When thoughtfully planned and positioned, memorial benches can sit comfortably within public spaces.

‘They support reflection, wellbeing and everyday community use, and they can enhance parks and town centres rather than detract from them.’

Barowky said that with clear guidelines and sensible management, remembrance and shared public spaces can work together.

He added: ‘It’s very frustrating, if you go to Hartlepool town centre, there are benches there that have been there for years that need replacing.

‘People will pay £400 for the bench, quite happily. I just don’t see the problem.’

The council revealed the Headland had 115 benches, followed by Seaton Promenade with 112 and Ward Jackson Park with 48.

It said it had also found several benches, which are not the responsibility of the local authority, in a poor condition.

Councillor Karen Oliver, Chair of the Housing, Growth and Communities Committee, said: ‘We understand that our communities want to commemorate and remember loved ones, so we acknowledge that this is a very sensitive issue.

‘However, concerns regarding the proliferation of memorial benches were voiced by several residents during public consultations relating to conservation areas in Seaton Carew and the Headland, and a subsequent audit found a significant number of benches – particularly in these two areas but also in other parts of the borough.’

Councillor Oliver said many of the benches have fallen into disrepair, with others blocking pushchairs and wheelchairs.

The council has also faced difficulties in removing litter, cleaning and weeding paths because of the high density of benches, she said.

‘I want to reassure people that we have no plans for the mass removal of benches and this is very much the beginning of a process to look at how this situation can best be addressed and, moving forward, managed appropriately,’ she said.

In the meantime, new applications for memorial benches have been paused until ‘suitable arrangements’ have been agreed.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

MORE: This cafe owner featured in Labour’s manifesto – now he says its policies sting

MORE: Keir Starmer apologises to Epstein’s victims saying Mandelson was his mistake

MORE: Labour’s Charlotte Nichols reveals she was raped at event while an MP

Horrific signs including ‘boom boom Tel Aviv’ are being displayed at the annual Al Quds Day demonstration in central London. 

At least 1,000 officers have been drafted in to manage crowds expected of around 12,000 people as conflict continues in Iran.

On the south side of the city, thousands of pro-Palestinian supporters have gathered where the atmosphere is tense. 

Hundreds of police have thrown a ring of steel around the gathered demonstrators. 

One young man, aged in his 20s, is holding a sign which says ‘boom boom Tel Aviv’. 

Other pro-regime signs are on display and one banner which says the ‘Epstein regime’ murdered 168 school children in Iran. 

A sign urging the Home Secretary to de-prescribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation is also being held. 

It reads: ‘Home Secretary, de-prescribe Palestine Action.’

Holding a sign which expresses support for Palestine Action is a crime and has led to thousands being arrested in previous months. 

The annual Al Quds Day demonstration in London had drawn criticism over apparent backing for the Iranian regime after its organisers expressed support for the country’s late leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

A counter-protest has also been planned, co-organised by Stop The Hate and The Lion Guard of Iran group, with police using the River Thames to block the demonstrations from clashing.

Iranian dissidents are expected to be among the attendees, Stop The Hate said.

All protests and counter-protests will take place between Vauxhall and Lambeth bridges, and are permitted between 1pm and 3pm, the Met said.

Counter-protesters can assemble on the Millbank side of the Thames, while the Al Quds Day demonstration will be situated at Albert Embankment.

It is thought to be the first time that Scotland Yard has used the river as a physical barrier to keep a large-scale protest and counter-protests apart.

Reporting by Ben Sturt

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

MORE: Woman sexually assaulted on London Underground in daytime attack

MORE: London SUV drivers could face new charges under road safety plan

MORE: My honest review of the Stansted Airport hotel with a 14-metre wine tower

The body of a man has been found in a wheelie bin in a park in Coventry, police said.

A member of the public found the unidentified man, believed to have been aged between 40 and 50, in Cash’s Park off Daimler Road at about 5pm on Friday.

West Midlands Police believe the man may have been hit by a vehicle before being moved to the park.

His body was found in a Coventry City Council wheelie bin with a green lid.

Officers are working with the council to find out where the bin was moved from.

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Poole said: “We are keeping an open mind, but we believe that this man has been hit by a vehicle and then has been moved to the park.

‘I urgently want to hear from anyone who believes they may have hit someone in their car yesterday, or who has noticed a change in behaviour from someone they know who drives, or who has noticed damage to a vehicle.

‘It’s vital that we trace that person as quickly as possible so that we can get their account of what happened.

‘If anyone in the area has found that their wheelie bin with a green lid has been stolen, I also want to hear from them.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

MORE: Dad with ‘heart of gold’ shot dead by mistake months after getting all-clear from cancer

MORE: ‘Doomsday prepper’ jailed after weapons and survival guides found in home

MORE: Tiktokker, 18, who killed two friends in crash will serve just seven months in jail

A 15-year-old boy has been charged with trying to kill a teenage girl at a secondary school near Norwich.

The girl was stabbed Thorpe St Andrew School on Laundry Lane at 10.24am on Wednesday.

Pupils were put into lockdown in their classrooms after the terrifying incident.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was taken into custody a short while later.