.A FORMER resident of Worcester’s YMCA was evicted after staff ‘ransacked’ his room under suspicion of smoking cannabis.

James Gretton, aged 26, has been sleeping rough since December 17 after staff from the city’s hostel raided his room in search for drugs but he denies having any.

A Worcester YMCA spokesman said “YMCA Worcestershire has a zero tolerance for illegal substances on our premises.

“We follow stringent procedures for individual move ons however we are unable to disclose or discuss any information regarding individual cases.”

Mr Gretton said: “I have been sleeping rough. I can’t take much more of this. I have heart problems and bad mental health. The longer I stay on the streets, the worse I am going to get.

“I confronted them and asked what they were doing in my room. They told me it was an immediate eviction and told me to pack my stuff. I went and sat on my room floor and cried.”

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Mr Gretton, who was at the YMCA for four months, says he asked the city council for temporary accommodation and provided medical records of his poor health but claims he hasn't been offered anywhere.

A Worcester City Council spokesman said: “When people approach the city council who are in imminent danger of sleeping rough we offer them a place on the No Second Night Out scheme, which is designed to ensure they do not end up out on the streets.

“Any eligible person who comes to us who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless will receive support that includes an assessment of their circumstances and a personalised plan to help them stay in their home or to move into new accommodation.”

Mr Gretton said: “It’s not fair. I have been cheated.”

Mr Gretton suffers with his health - he had a heart attack and a coronary artery stent in September 2013.