Ex-husband in DIY demolition

Neighbours were concerned the DIY demolition was a safety risk

A Black Country man has been issued with a court injunction to prevent him demolishing his house to stop his ex-wife getting half of its value.

Bill Jones, 50, from Meeting Street in Wednesbury in the West Midlands, has left little more than a shell of his former home, worth £72,000 before his work began.

He embarked on the demolition programme after deciding he would rather make himself homeless than let former wife Zelda get her hands on money from a house sale.

But the council were called in by neighbours concerned for their safety after the roof and floors of the house were ripped out in just a week.

'Not revenge'

Mr Jones said he had no regrets about his decision to demolish the terraced house, his home for 20 years, while his wife was away.

He said: "It is heartbreaking but my Mrs was rubbing her hands saying 'Wait till I get my money'.

The house was worth £72,000

"It's not through revenge and it's not through malice."

But Sandwell Council was granted an injunction to prevent Mr Jones continuing his demolition work at Walsall County Court on Thursday.

If he continues the demolition he faces arrest.

Meanwhile, his ex-wife Zelda Mamzel, 46, who is living at a secret address with their daughter Tara, said she was not surprised by his actions.

She said: "He told me he would do this if we ever divorced so I wouldn't get a penny.

"Although I am devastated and very sad, I am not shocked."