A couple who went through the trauma of losing a child after being unlawfully evicted from their home have named their surviving twin after an 'angel' housing officer who helped them.

Describing her as an ‘angel’ Elizabeth Eroghen, 29, and her partner, George Ebong Akpan, 56, have paid the most heartfelt of tributes to Waltham Forest Council’s Tenancy Relations Officer, Beverley Holdsworth.

Earlier this year a landlady and her niece were brought before the courts after twice unlawfully evicting a couple from their home in Cann Hall Road.

Ogechi Anyanwu, 40, of Manford Court, Chigwell, and her niece Chanel Anyanwu, 22, of Cann Hall Road, Leytonstone, were found guilty of unlawful eviction and harassment.

Property owner, Ogechi Anyanwu, denied that the couple had been unlawfully evicted last year, despite the locks being changed without their knowledge, trespassing in their room and removing their belongings with no notice.

Chanel Anyanwu, who lived in the shared property, claimed to police that she had given the couple a valid notice to quit, suggesting they were lodgers, but during the hearing these claims were found to be false and other paperwork was discovered to be lacking.

On September 30 last year Beverley Holdsworth helped the couple gain access to the first floor bedroom that they rented.

They then set up a meeting with the landlords who were arrested on arrival.

Miss Eroghen went into labour two months before her due date and ended up spending five days in hospital, tragically losing one of her babies.

Ms Holdsworth, who has since left the council, said: “Elizabeth and George were treated appallingly.

“Elizabeth suffers with diabetes and was heavily pregnant when the landlords just decided to turf them out on the street.

“I find it very difficult to get into the heads of people like the Anyanwus. Elizabeth and George lost a lot of possessions in the turmoil and of course the tragedy of losing one of their babies was just heart-breaking.

“I was extremely moved and honoured that they named their baby after me. You can’t imagine how touching it is. I was just doing my job and my best to help people who really were suffering an injustice.”

Miss Eroghen said: “It was a nightmare and looking back I don’t know how we got through it. Beverley was like an angel and went well beyond the call of duty in helping us with our situation.

“It’s at times of trouble and stress that you realise what people are really like and the true meaning of good and bad.

“Beverley was there for us at a time when we really needed help and support and obviously we went through very dark times.

“However, it was also a time when my beautiful daughter was born, so there was light too and it seemed appropriate to name her after Beverley given what she has done for us.”

The couple have now settled into a home in Forest Gate and are pursuing a civil case against their former landlords.