How The Gough and Whittingham Family Exploited an Elderly Woman For Their Own Agenda|PART 1

A home ripped straight out of a Resident Evil scene—that was my gut reaction when I saw the photos Paris Louise Gough shared, allegedly on behalf of her aunt, Naomi Gough (now Gough Cooper through marriage).

The post showed a home that Paris and Naomi claimed had been offered to them by VIVID Homes. It depicted a home that was in disrepair—overflowing with household waste, neglected to the point of being unrecognisable as a place anyone should have to live, let alone call home. It was a heart breaking image, made worse by the reminder that someone had, in fact, been living there.

In Paris’ post, Naomi unleashed a furious attack on VIVID Homes—accusing them of offering her this biohazardous pit, accusing them of expecting her to clean it, and of warning that if she didn’t comply, she’d “lose the move entirely.”

She wrote: “They (VIVID Homes) cleared this property for mutual exchange knowing it was a biohazard. They were happy to let me bring a newborn baby into a home filled with human waste, infestation, and danger.”

But, it turns out the only danger was the lies perpetuated by Naomi and her niece Paris-who, by the end of this you could even go as far as saying that their behaviour is the human waste.

Because as it turns out, the only thing truly overflowing was their lies.

For seven years, Mandy—mother-in-law to the Mitchell family—lived in conditions no one should ever experience.

For seven years, Mandy lived in extremely difficult circumstances, shaped by a series of unfortunate events and ongoing health challenges—both her own and those of her long time partner. As his health declined, so did the condition of their home, with daily life becoming increasingly isolated and overwhelming.

When he passed away in January, and Mandy later fell seriously ill, her family was finally able to enter the house for the first time in years—and only then did they fully grasp the extent of what had been endured.

On January 21st, Mandy—near death—was admitted to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, where she remained for fifty days. During that time, her family rallied. They coordinated with the hospital, worked with adult services, and accepted funding which the hospital kindly allocated for a full property deep clean.

Sparkling White Cleaning Services stepped in, and by the time Mandy returned home on March 12th, the house was transformed from a horror scene to a safe space. 

For the first time in years, Mandy didn't have to just survive—she was healing, in a home that was now safe for her!

That peace didn’t last long.

Enter Amber Carla Whittingham, sister-in-law of Naomi.

Not long after Mandy returned home, she was shaken by the sight of a man standing in her back garden, silently staring into her house. Alarmed, she called Willow, her daughter-in-law. Willow arrived with Mandy’s sons, and together they secured the back entrance to restore her safety and offer her peace of mind.

When Willow‘s investigations into this led her to Amber's home, she discovered that the man was Amber’s husband.

Amber claimed she had sent him to check on the property because the door had been "left open for days" and she was worried her "cat" might be sneaking in. 

A convenient excuse, but it didn’t add up. Mandy now had a carer assigned by Adult Services—one of whose primary responsibilities is to ensure the property is secured on departure. An open door for days? Impossible!

Then Amber revealed she had recently had a rodent issue, hinting it was likely linked to Mandy’s home. Willow, treading gently, explained that Mandy’s house had just been cleared, and yes, it was possible the clean up had disturbed pests. She shared Mandy's story—her recent trauma, her vulnerability, the restoration of her home, Amber nodded along.

Then came the pitch.

Amber mentioned someone she knew: a woman with two children and another on the way, was stuck in a cramped two bedroom. She asked Willow if Mandy might consider a home swap.

Willow replied honestly, a two bed wouldn’t meet Mandy’s needs.

That should have been the end of it.

But on March 31st, Amber messaged Willow. She claimed she had spoken to her mother-in-law earlier in the morning and passed along her number for Mandy to give to her–it was nice of her to wait for Mandy to pass on her number, wasn't it? Respectful, wasn't it?—In the same breath, she made an offer: they’d found a one bedroom property, and Naomi — her pregnant sister-in-law — had "no other way" to get a suitable home.

And just to sweeten the deal?"Happy to give you guys some cash towards it as well."

Handled through the "official VIVID process"? That’s the claim Paris Louise made publicly, defending Naomi. But if it was all above board, why the backdoor cash offer? Why approach Mandy, knowing she's in a fragile state, then rather than wait for Mandy to pass on her number, she got the ball rolling through contacting her daughter-in-law with a bribe and a sob story later that evening?

Paris also claimed: "The mutual exchange was handled through the official VIVID Homes process, not privately. No money changed hands. Any suggestion that this was a private swap or informal agreement is untrue." In a message to myself when I was conducting my enquiries into this matter.

Untrue? Really? Let’s talk about untruths, Paris. Because everything you, Naomi, and Amber have said since that first post has been built on them.

Amber continued to sell the idea hard. She even had photos of the property to share on hand. She emphasized how suitable it would be for Mandy (as if she knew her) and sealed it with stating the property is still nearby, so Mandy wouldn't be far from her family--how considerate; or manipulative.

Willow informed Amber that she would talk to Mandy, but from the photo's and description it sounded perfect. She informed Amber that "Mandy's house needs a lot of work though". Amber responded reassuring Willow saying "my sister in law is aware of the work needed she would just be so grateful to have the opportunity for the children be honest she has been searching for so long"

Willow, having a HUMANLY HEART for Amber's sister-in-law responded saying "They can always start doing the work as soon as we get the paperwork in that way kid's don't move into a mess" 

Now, PAUSE. Did Amber question the mess? Did she ask to see photo's of said mess so her sister in law could decide if it was too much to take on? Did she ever ask, why Willow said "they can always start doing the work" and not why the Mitchell family wouldn't be able to help? NOPE.

Amber responded saying "That would be amazing, we are only here (meaning neighbours behind Mandy) so we will help day and night to get it (Mandy's home) sorted" 

That "gratefulness" for the "opportunity", was quickly forgotten and replaced with something much uglier! That offer of "day and night help", went out the window as soon as entitlement crept in!

On April 2nd, the Gough family toured Mandy’s home. Confirmed through messages sent by Amber to Willow:

Let’s be absolutely clear—it was not in the so called “biohazard” state that Paris dramatically portrayed. That’s not speculation; that’s fact, backed by Sparkling White Cleaning Services—the professional company that deep cleaned the home from March 2nd to March 9th.

These people, and the work they do! They're angels wrapped in protective clothing! They removed four trucks worth of waste and debris from the living areas. They cleaned it thoroughly. Turning an overwhelming house of horrors into a home once more.  into a place that was finally safe, sanitary, and livable again.

And yes, I have their full permission to share the before and after photos. Go ahead—see for yourself just how CLEAN, ORDERLY, and LIVEABLE the home was when it was “pre-offered” to the Gough’s.

And at no point during that April 2nd visit did Naomi, Amber, or Paris say, “This home is unfit for viewing,” or express concern for Naomi’s unborn child or her young son and daughter. If it truly was a health hazard, that would’ve been the moment to say so. But they didn’t—because it wasn’t.

In fact, there was still no mention of the uninhabitable living conditions when Amber contacted Willow on the 29th of April, saying;

Now, let’s jump to May—when VIVID Homes stepped in. They had a planned inspection for May 6th—which we’ll get to—but before that, on May 2nd Naomi-through Amber- handed Mandy a list of replaceable demands for the inspector.

• Doors and windows:
• Loft hatch and boiler*
• New bins
• Covers for electric and gas boxes

Pay attention to the next one, it tells you more truth than all of Paris' flimsy words put together.

• Also garden clearance and LOFT CLEARANCE, because if Mandy can’t move the stuff due to her medical grounds, they (VIVID Homes) should be able to do it. (Worst case scenario we’ll do it).”

Sound familiar? Amber proudly declared, “We’re only here so we can help DAY and NIGHT to GET IT SORTED.” But what came next? Mostly talk.

On May 3rd—the very next day after the inspection—Amber messaged Willow asking if she’d be at Mandy’s. Willow said yes. That same day, Naomi’s husband and Amber’s partner pulled up—as planned on the 29th of April—and removed the carpets in Mandy’s home to prep for new ones they'd purchase.

So let’s PAUSE and break that down!

The house was supposedly drowning in trash, but somehow they could stroll in and rip up carpets? Really?

If it was so uninhabitable, why weren’t they clearing the bathroom or kitchen first? Was the plan to have their children toilet in the street and live off takeaway? Or—let’s face it—was the house never in the condition Paris dramatically described “on behalf” of her “aunty”?

Keep paying attention. The truth is already right here. And it's loud.

On May 6th, Amber told Willow that the Cooper family had been informed that Mandy’s home hadn’t passed inspection. The reasons? “Front garden,” “back garden,” and “the loft.” That’s it. Those three areas were flagged by Inspector Dan as potential blockers to the exchange.

So not the biohazard horror show Paris posted all over Facebook?

Not the alleged Resident Evil level filth?

Then Naomi entered the chat, messaging Willow that same day. She backed Amber’s version, saying Dan raised concerns over—you guessed it—the garden and loft. Naomi even quoted him:

“The back garden has rubbish and white goods, and the loft still has things in it.” Her response? “I said yes.” She owned it. No mention of filth. No biohazard panic. 

Naomi told Willow she asked VIVID Homes for financial help clearing those areas. VIVID refused—because, as they reminded her, it’s the tenant’s responsibility. Especially when, in their words, “you have people to help you.”

Then came May 7th. Amber messaged again, claiming she had arranged “a man and a van” to sort the garden by Saturday, May 9th.

Naomi messaged Willow too, insisting “I have spoken with the mutual exchange team. I have told them we are happy to clear anything that needs doing as mandy isn't capable" and that she had “sourced a few people and cars” to help.

Saturday rolled around, Yes, the Gough's cleared some of the garden and they also took possession of one of Mandy's bins in the process.

What hit me instantly was the sheer disrespect—treating Mandy’s home like it already belonged to them. No message, no courtesy, not even a basic, “Hey, is it okay if we use Mandy’s bin while we clear the garden?” Nothing.They didn’t just fill her bin to the brim—they didn’t even acknowledge it. No heads up. No apology. No accountability. Not even the decency to wheel the extra bin they left out front into the back garden, so Mandy—or in this case, her carer—could access it.

Instead, the carer walked out with recycling, only to be met with an overflowing mess.When Willow asked Amber, “Have you filled up Mandy’s bins?” Amber didn’t deny it. She said:“Yeah. So we could get to the floor. It won’t be staying there obviously. How come?”

Willow explained the carer couldn’t use the bin, and Amber’s reply?

“There’s a bin left out front for her.”

Excuse me—WHO did you think you WERE? The moment your foot touched the grass, you thought you had rights? Like you were entitled to decide what stays, what goes, and who gets to use what? This wasn’t your property. This wasn’t your decision. And you didn’t even pretend to act like a guest. No accountability. No respect. Just full blown entitlement.

And let’s talk about day one. Just a few hours in, Amber proudly declared: “The front garden is nearly done and the whole back garden has been cut back.”

But funny—no mention of the house interior. Not a word about the so called mouse droppings on surfaces. No mention of the bathroom that was supposedly full of human waste. Nothing about the rooms they claimed were “unliveable.”So what was the plan? Were the kids meant to sleep on the roof?

Or maybe—just maybe—the home was never in the filthy, dangerous condition Naomi and Paris claimed. Maybe the whole horror story was a lie to manipulate the narrative and to cause distress and harassment!

And the truth? It’s standing there in plain sight. Did you also spot Willow, thinking of people she could call on—TO HELP THEM? Do you also notice Willow stating she can’t help them, that she’s sorry and why? Bare that in mind!

What hit my heart hardest wasn’t just the lies—it was Mandy, quietly asking her family, “Can you tell them to pretend I’m not here?” on the day the Gough's came to clear the garden.

Read that again. A grown, elderly woman, in her own home, too ashamed, too vulnerable, too fragile to even be seen. If that didn’t scream what Willow had already told them—that Mandy was in a deeply vulnerable state—then nothing ever would. But did it matter to them? NO. Because what came next was worse.. . .

To be continued. . . .

“Whittingham” and “Gough” only refers to the named individuals.