A RAT infestation in housing for young mums has forced a couple to move their one-year-old out after fears for his health.

Mum Jessica Allaway,19, and her partner Cory Gunn, 20, have taken one-year-old Kobi to hospital five times in the past month, blaming it on a rat problem so severe pest control officers warned them to remove their son.

The couple, living in the Riverside accommodation on Beaumaris road, supported accommodation for young parents aged 18 – 25, were horrified to see Kobi nearly eat rat droppings one morning.

Cory Gunn told the Adver: “We woke up in the morning and would physically see rats with our own eyes.

“Even the mice people said you can’t have him here.

“He had diarrhoea, he wasn’t drinking properly. He just seemed upset most of the days, very stressed, and just didn’t seem himself.”

Last week the couple took the drastic move to split the family up and ask a Jessica’s relative to look after him until accommodation agreed to rip the kitchen out and block up holes in the cupboards and behind the kitchen units.

“Jessica has pretty much had to beg Kobi’s nan, and he’s been there now for about a week and a half. We can’t have him here.”

“We’ve seen big progress in him. We saw him yesterday and he seemed a lot happier and talking more.”

“But we’re not bringing him home until this kitchen is done. We just don't want to bring him back and make him worse.

“It’s been really draining, it’s a constant battle. It’s like if I’m trying to argue with a little toddler to be honest with you.

Jessica Allaway added: “I can’t have him in that flat because the condition that kitchen is in.”

“I haven’t had my son with me for a week and it’s getting me really down and upset to think of all this has split me and my child up. They don’t really care that much about us.”

Heather Miles, Riverside’s Area Manager for Care and Support, said: “We understand that this is a distressing time for Miss Allaway and when this was first reported to us we responded within two days and instructed our pest control contractor to lay traps and continue to deal with the problem. We have returned to the property four times and are going back on Friday.

“The building is owned by another housing association who are responsible for all maintenance and repairs to the property. Our role is to provide support services to young parents at the scheme. We are working with the building’s owners to resolve this as a matter of urgency.

“We are also continuing to support Miss Allaway while this is being sorted out.”