Plumber faces ruin

Roy Hammond, of Mildmay Road, says he is not in a position to appeal against the judgment but believes he can hold his head up high.

The legal row erupted over a 1.1 million contract at the 6,000 acre Glynde estate, near Lewes, the family home of Viscount Hampden and which includes 175 houses and a pub.

Mr Hammond claims he was signed up by estate worker Edwin Pilbeam to carry out large-scale plumbing and central heating work on 130 properties in the village.

He claims the trustees reneged on the contract and sued them.

Deputy Judge Nicholas Strauss, however, ruled Lord Hampden had not given his permission for Mr Pilbeam to sign the contract, rendering the agreement meaningless.

But Mr Hammond told the Express this week: 'The judge totally failed to examine the other side of the coin, which is that no plumber in my position would invest more than 250,000 of his hard-earned money unless he had what he took to be a valid contract.

'Those of your readers who know me and who I have worked for will, I hope, recall that I dealt fairly and honestly with them.

'For the last two years I have been living and working under the most enormous pressure that has grown as the court proceedings came closer.

'It is very hard to keep faith in human nature and in justice when something of this nature happens to you, but I am able to hold my head high.

'I don't think everybody in this case can say the same.'

Mr Hammond said he had made a loss of about 150,000 on the contract and faced court costs of more than 100,000.

He is the sole proprietor of his business. The debt is his.

He had nine employees two years ago. Now he has none.

'I borrowed against the house so I face financial ruin and the possible loss of my home,' he added.

'I can't say I'm bearing up. It's a crushing blow to me and my family.

'They brought powerful guns in court against us.'

l See page 11 for court hearing