Woman with rat phobia discovers rodent has come into her home

A MUM stuck living with her “biggest phobia” says she hasn’t slept since Christmas Eve after discovering a rat in her home.

- By KRISTY DAWSON

Karen Taylor-Steward lives on Trowbridge Way, which backs onto the Mostyn Green flats, in Kenton, Newcastle.

The 62-year-old has previously contacted Newcastle City Council about rats coming into her garden. She believes the rodents are coming from industrial rubbish bins outside the flats, which she says are overflowing.

Karen discovered, during the early hours of Christmas Eve, that there is now a rat inside her house.

She is having to pay a minimum of £240 for a private company to help her remove it.

Karen, who is mum to Jessica, 29, and Amy, 26, said: “I haven't slept since Christmas Eve because my biggest phobia is rats so you can imagine how I'm feeling at the moment. I don’t know if it's one rat or if it’s more!

“It’s in the cavity wall and it’s got into my life. I heard it at 2.40am in the loft. It's been horrendous.

“I have got rat traps around the garden and I have had to pay out for them myself, which I’m not happy about.

“It's getting absolutely ridiculous. I have been contacting the council about the issue since 2024. I have reported about them being outside and now it's escalated into the house. This could have been prevented.”