A MIDDLE-AGED man and his teenage wife who took refuge in York after being hounded out of Glasgow are now facing eviction from their council flat.

James McCartney and 17-year-old Elaine have branded City of York Council "uncaring and unsympathetic" over its decision to force them to quit their emergency temporary accommodation off Fulford Road.

"We love York. The welcome from the people of York has been fabulous," said Mr McCartney. "But City of York Council has turned us against it and we are disillusioned."

But the council today strongly refuted the claim that it was uncaring and unsympathetic, saying a decision had been taken according to the law that the couple did not have a priority need.

Mr and Mrs McCartney arrived in York in March after fleeing Glasgow in fear of their lives, subject to repeated abuse and threats from people who branded Mr McCartney a pervert and paedophile.

He said in May that Glasgow had been hell on earth for them, but York people had been kind, generous and welcoming. "We have found ourselves in heaven."

Picture: James and Elaine McCartney