Patrick ‘Patsy’ Revins was a well-recognized face round Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, not least as a result of it was nearly fully coated in tattoos.
The 54-year-old, who had by no means had a job, tragically died from an overdose after a life blighted by medication and crime.
For all his many issues, Patrick was decided to assist others to not comply with his path and spotlight the plight of the town’s tough sleepers.
Again in 2017, he spoke to The Sentinel about what it was actually like residing on the streets of Stoke-on-Trent and the way he nonetheless even managed to ‘pull the birds’.
Right here, in his personal phrases, Patsy tells his life story.
Patsy Revins is on the older finish of the homeless age scale. He has spent 28 years – round half his life – in jail. Born in Eire, he got here to Staffordshire in 1982.
When not in jail he has spent a lot of his time on the streets, and is again there once more after being evicted from a Stoke-on-Trent property in a dispute over lease.
“Due to my identify and repute individuals don’t wish to know me,” he says, “so I’m left on the streets with nowhere to go.” He sleeps close to Hanley Crown Court docket.
“I might similar to a spot I might cool down,” he says. “Once I got here out of jail they gave me a home in Meir. On the tenth day I went to get my methadone and after I got here again the council have been there boarding my home up. That’s not proper. They did it as a result of they don’t need me round.
“I solely took heroin 3 times,” he claims, “however individuals take a look at me like I’m a scumbag. However I’m going to mattress at evening and rise up within the morning and I can maintain my head up excessive.”
Patsy has no want to return to jail, however believes he’ll in all probability find yourself there. “Being in jail is best than being on the streets,” he says. “I’m institutionalised. I’m 57 now. I’ve completed all my combating. I don’t wish to return to jail however I suppose I’ll.”
Patsy’s distinctive tattoos have been his downfall in relation to being simply identifiable for crimes starting from dealing to carrying knives.
“See this tattoo on my brow,” he says, “the place it says ‘KAREN’, it says ‘IRA’ beneath that. It’s been modified.” The ‘Bobby Sands’ tattoo on his cheek stays. “All these want to return off,” he says.
“My father was ruthless,” he explains of the Irish Republican tattoos. “He was into the IRA.”
“Folks ask me if I can sleep at evening with my conscience,” he says of his previous demeanours. “I sleep simple at evening, let me let you know.”
Half a life in jail presents a detachment from actual life. “I got here out after a 10-year and 30 day sentence (the ten days was added for contempt of court docket after Patsy instructed the choose he was unsuitable on a degree of regulation), lit up in a pub, and was barred. I didn’t know you couldn’t smoke in a pub.”
However no matter his circumstances, he’s decided to keep up some self-respect. “I could be homeless,” he says, “however I nonetheless hold myself clear. I’ve had firm with me at evening. I can nonetheless pull birds, mate.”
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His each day existence is mundane. “I’ve to go to Boots each day to gather my methadone. I’m imagined to go to the dole workplace each day too.”
“No-one is aware of what to do with me,” he says. “However I really feel like I’m wished right here.
“Stoke-on-Trent is filled with homeless individuals. No-one is doing something about them – nothing.”
Almost three years after this interview, Patsy was discovered lifeless at his residence in Hilton Highway, Penkhull, by a assist employee who went to verify on him.
He sitting towards a wall, wrapped from chest to toe in a cover and along with his head leaning on a pillow.
His legs have been stretched straight out and there was an intravenous needle close by, together with two packing containers of kitchen foil.
Toxicology assessments revealed he had a lot of medication in his system, together with cocaine, however most have been at a therapeutic stage.
Patrick had been beneath the care of each psychological well being companies and neighborhood drug and alcohol companies. And he was additionally receiving assist from the charity Concrete, previously often called Arch North Staffs, which tackles points round homelessness.
To hunt assist for the homeless, name 0800 970 2304 or go to https://www.streetlink.org.uk/
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