A VETERAN has resorted to camping outside the caravan park he once called home after a dispute over an energy bill culminated in him being evicted from the site.

Michael Humble has been protesting outside Witton Castle Country Park near Bishop Auckland since last week, describing it as the only option left to him in his “fight for justice”.

Mr Humble, a bricklayer from Cockfield, was evicted from the static caravan site earlier this summer. The 34-year-old, who moved into his parents’ caravan in 2013, has been fighting a £618 gas and electricity bill issued by the park since February, claiming this is twice the amount he normally pays for a six-month period.

In May, he received another gas and electricity bill for £706.36.

The father-of-one has accused the caravan park of trying to make a profit on residents’ electricity bills, and believes he was bullied off the site to allow the owner to release the plot and gain commission on a new caravan sale.

However, a spokesperson from Witton Castle Country Park said Mr Humble’s license to occupy his pitch was terminated after he threatened members of staff in front of witnesses.

“We have made every effort to try and resolve the issue which has led to Mr Humble’s current course of action, even though we have demonstrated his complaint to be groundless,” he said.

“The park is continuing to try and engage with Mr Humble in an effort to resolve this matter to his satisfaction.”

Mr Humble, who served with the Light Infantry, denies being abusive and said tests carried out on the meter were only run for a few days and did not provide a true reflection.

“Anybody who knows me on that park or who knows me in the town knows I’m not like that,” he said.

“I’m not aggressive. I’m a genuine, caring person. They are bullies who just want to make money. They intimidate you and push you into a corner.

“This is my mam and dad’s caravan and they have dragged it off the plot with all of the stuff inside.

“I’ve spoken to Citizen’s Advice, I’ve spoken to the electricity company and the ombudsmen. I want to pay what is owed but those bills were not right.”