News RSS Feed


Top stories for Bexley, Bromley, Lewisham and Greenwich and Dartford and Gravesend, and elsewhere in south east London and north Kent.
Register now to post your comments. It’s free, quick and easy. £20 prize paid for best comment.
Sign up for News Shopper's free email bulletins and text alerts.
Email your photos and videos or text keyword NEWS SHOPPER with your message/photo/video to 80360.

Woman on toilet attacked by rat

4:19pm Wednesday 19th March 2008

comment Comments (116)   Have your say »


A DISABLED woman was horrified after being bitten by a rat which came up through her toilet while she was sitting on it.

Maxine Killingback, who lives on her own, jumped up in shock when she felt the rat bite the top of her leg and fell over onto the floor, hurting her back.

After drowning the rat herself using a plunger and barricading the toilet to stop other rats which were trying to get out, she phoned Greenwich Council only to be told she would have to wait three weeks for them to come and sort out the problem.

The 55 year-old, from Greenwich Council-owned Armada Court, Creek Road, Deptford, was too afraid to go back in the bathroom and fled the flat to stay with her partner in Woolwich following the incident on March 17.

She said: "You don't expect to sit down to spend a penny and be bitten by a rat.

"It just felt like someone had put a needle in me.

"When I jumped up it seemed to still have a hold on me."

Ms Killingback, who has rheumatism in her legs and back, said the rat was still trying to get out of the toilet after she fell on the floor.

She tried flushing the toilet chain twice but the creature came back each time.

Ms Killingback said: "It was a big, black one, seven or eight inches long.

"It was trying to climb up but it kept sliding back down. I put a plunger down the toilet but it kept trying to get out."

Ms Killingback, who says she has a nervous disposition, then jammed a bleach bottle next to the plunger and kept it there until the rat had drowned.

She said: "Then there were more coming up, I could see their noses poking through the gap.

"I just put two big boxes of washing powder and other things on top of the toilet to block it and shut the bathroom door.

"I've never known anything like it.

"My next door neighbour came in to verify what had happened because I thought I was going mad."

Ms Killingback phoned the council but was told it was not an emergency and she would have to wait.

She said: "I didn't know what had hit me I really didn't. I'm so upset."

After returning to the flat last night (March 18) Ms Killingback says she has already seen three rats in the kitchen.

She said: "I'm petrified and I don't know what to do. I can't wait three weeks can I?"

A council spokesman said it was not possible to make an immediate appointment for its free rat control service due to high demand.

He said Ms Killingback had declined to be put on a standby list and an offer of advice on how to contact a private pest control contractor but would be visited by a pest control officer on April 7.

The spokesman said: "There are no records in the past 12 months of other complaints about rats in that block, and no immediate evidence of runs or holes."

Print article » Email to a friend »

Your Say YourNews Shopper

Ro, meopham says...
3:20pm Wed 19 Mar 08

how sad is dat! why didnt she jst open d winda n shut d door. i fell sorry 4 d rats. dey r living 2 wot rite dus she hav 2 kill dem! dat is cruel!

Report this post »

Confused,, Bewildered says...
3:31pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Ro wrote:
how sad is dat! why didnt she jst open d winda n shut d door. i fell sorry 4 d rats. dey r living 2 wot rite dus she hav 2 kill dem! dat is cruel!
Tell me you are having a laugh, a jest or a jape!

They are rats, vermin, pests and spread disease in urban areas, or is your post a deliberate badly spelt wind up ?

Report this post »

Let's be nice, Blackheath says...
3:34pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Judging by the photograph, the rat must have had a strong stomach . You wouldn't catch me biting her on the bum.

Report this post »

The Master, petts wood says...
3:54pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Get a life Mo. Go back to school and learn how to make yourself understood

Report this post »

The Master, petts wood says...
3:56pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Sorry Ro, even worse

Report this post »

honey, says...
4:01pm Wed 19 Mar 08

so she fled the flat, had the strength to push a plunger and a bottle of bleach down the loo - how exactly is this lady disabled? apart from having a "nervous disposition". Maybe she's been ratted out.

Report this post »

J, Here says...
4:02pm Wed 19 Mar 08

While I can understand why she did it (scared and what not), I don't think killing the poor animal was really needed. Just my opinion.

Report this post »

rip rat, says...
4:07pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Agree J, totally over-the-top.

Report this post »

pj, says...
4:09pm Wed 19 Mar 08

to confused - "spread diseases" - gawd blimey, look at the state of that bog brush!

Report this post »

Locked and Loaded, says...
4:10pm Wed 19 Mar 08

I wonder how much Maxine charges to haunt a house ?

Report this post »

Sorry, Should know better! says...
4:35pm Wed 19 Mar 08

The picture of her looks like she is still mid way through pushing one out or someone has pulled a chair out from behind her!!

Report this post »

davyboy, farnborough says...
4:42pm Wed 19 Mar 08

I see Maxine the rat killer is at it again.I do feel sorry for poor old ratty.

Report this post »

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, The Study says...
4:43pm Wed 19 Mar 08

It looks in the photograph that this lady is so terrified to sit on her toilet that she is squatting by the side of it instead.

Nice tattoos and a fine collection of air fresheners and cleaning materials, so fair play to the lady.

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott

Report this post »

robert, dartford says...
4:46pm Wed 19 Mar 08

used to work fo greenwich and now they seem to employ people who are like this ITS MORE THAN MY JOBS WORTH TO ALLOW YOU TO JUMP A QUEQUE COME ON BELIEVE SOMETHINGS SOMETIMES

Report this post »

misti, battersea says...
4:51pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Does anyone believe this story is real? It just can't be...having to barricade the toilet lid down so that the rats couldn't pour out??!!!!..what is she, the pied piper of Greenwich or something or just a wind up merchant?

Report this post »

Tommy Mousse, Greenwich says...
4:54pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Sorry wrote:
The picture of her looks like she is still mid way through pushing one out or someone has pulled a chair out from behind her!!
I have just blown up the picture. This lady is laying a cable - you can tell by the way she is standing.

She said the rat was BLACK - there are NO BLACK rats in Britain.

My theory is that she dumped a large log after a heavy curry and some Guinness ( hence the blackness ans it pan bounced bacp and bit her on the arse. She actually drowned her own William the third.

What do other readers think ?

Report this post »

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, TV AM says...
4:55pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Perhaps this lady has been reading James Herbert books late at night?

I have heard a rumour that her son is called Roland.

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott

Report this post »

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, On the landing outside the bathroom with my legs crossed says...
5:00pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Is that her phone number tattooed on her arm?

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott

Report this post »

Jim, Lee says...
5:00pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Tommy Mousse wrote:
Sorry wrote:
The picture of her looks like she is still mid way through pushing one out or someone has pulled a chair out from behind her!!
I have just blown up the picture. This lady is laying a cable - you can tell by the way she is standing.

She said the rat was BLACK - there are NO BLACK rats in Britain.

My theory is that she dumped a large log after a heavy curry and some Guinness ( hence the blackness ans it pan bounced bacp and bit her on the arse. She actually drowned her own William the third.

What do other readers think ?
I reckon the picture has been edited and a big curler has been removed - She is definatly "parking her breakfast"

Report this post »

bill, loos says...
5:04pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Evidence at last, Roland Rat lives. What is she on about, feel sorry for the rat, imagine coming up the toilet to see her backside staring you in the face, the shock is enough to kill the poor rat!!!!

Report this post »

The Rat Pack, says...
5:17pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Poor rat must have been petrified, seems the lady might have over-reacted a bit here.

Never mind love, don't expect you will have to wait three weeks now your story is in the local rag.

Maybe the paper will pay for a new piece of carpet too.

Report this post »

Jade, N/Fleet says...
5:21pm Wed 19 Mar 08

bill wrote:
Evidence at last, Roland Rat lives. What is she on about, feel sorry for the rat, imagine coming up the toilet to see her backside staring you in the face, the shock is enough to kill the poor rat!!!!
After a fierce swim up the pipe and round the U bend the rat had a voracious appetite and fancied a fresh slice of RUMP steak, perfectly normal behaviour for a rat I would say.

Report this post »

concerned, says...
5:28pm Wed 19 Mar 08

All these people posting comments seem to forget the fact that this poor woman had a terrifying experience (now my worst nightmare) while going to the toilet. I cannot believe Greenwich Council is taking three weeks to sort it out. Would anyone at the council like it if rats were infesting their home?

Report this post »

horrified, bexley says...
5:34pm Wed 19 Mar 08

i cannot believe everyone is taking this story as a joke. it is most people's worst nightmare come true. i think she was very brave to try and stop the rats from getting out of the loo. i would have done a runner myself. just imagine yourself in your loo and discovering a rat scrabbling to get out of the toilet bowl, with more of them following. it is horrendous. i bet you would not find it so funny if it happened to you. and the idea that greenwich council thinks it is ok to leave this poor woman in this situation is a disgrace. surely it has a health and safety duty as her landlord to do someting about it as quickly as possible. you can bet it if was someone they knew the pest controllers would be round there sharpish. i think it is appalling

Report this post »

un-concerned, says...
5:36pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Terrifying - get a grip. GO RATTY GO.

ps - I expect the council are on the case.

Report this post »

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, The Garden says...
5:36pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Horrified, stop being so ratty.

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott

Report this post »

goneforgood, surrey says...
5:41pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Come on this Picture deserves a caption competion. Mines THEY DONT LIKE IT UP THEM.

Report this post »

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, Bill Syke's says...
5:41pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Perhaps Mrs Killingback is looking for self-ratification.

I am not surprised she is called Killingback - her back must be killing her in that position!

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott

Report this post »

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, The Sewer says...
5:46pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Caption:

Mrs Killingback in ratta-tat-attack position stands guard over toilet bowl.

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott

Report this post »

J, Here says...
5:56pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Concerned and Horrified, how do you think the rat felt as it was being drowned? This woman could have opened a window, shut the bathroom door and let it go, but oh no she had to slaughter an innocent creature. I can see who the real animal is here.

Report this post »

Locked and Loaded, says...
6:01pm Wed 19 Mar 08

I think she should be reported to the RSPCA.The shock of seeing this woman with her bomb bay doors open would scare anyone, let alone a poor rat.

Report this post »

molls, says...
6:03pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Horrified - this is a truly bizarre story, the woman looks ridiculous. No need to have killed that rat, couldn't she have just shut the lid? You're right, it is appalling (for the rat).

Report this post »

Jade, N/Fleet says...
6:05pm Wed 19 Mar 08

If it was a privately rented property environmental health dept would be slapping an order on the landlord in an instant! However in this case it can wait several weeks as it is not the private sector. The council can get away with it in other words.

Report this post »

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, The Altar says...
6:08pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Jade, thank you for ratifying the situation for us all.

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott

Report this post »

Locked and Loaded, says...
6:10pm Wed 19 Mar 08

I think she is saying in the picture, " I always cleans me teef like this."

Report this post »

Iain S, sidcup says...
6:10pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Must have been a shock. She can't remember eating that the night before!!!

Report this post »

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, The Record Shop says...
6:11pm Wed 19 Mar 08

I wonder if the lady's favourite album is 'Rat Out Of Hell'?

Let's hope the poor rat did not get a meaty loaf in the face.

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott

Report this post »

mat the rat, says...
6:11pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Did anyone else actually see this rat?

Report this post »

Tabitha, says...
6:22pm Wed 19 Mar 08

mat the rat wrote:
Did anyone else actually see this rat?
Why do you think she was haloocinating?
Could it have been down to the ratafia?

Report this post »

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, The London Dungeon says...
6:23pm Wed 19 Mar 08

I presume this was a brown rat.

At least it was for a moment until it encountered the bleach, I guess.

If you come across any bottle blonde rats in the near future, feel assured that it originated in Woolwich.

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott

Report this post »

rats4U, says...
6:31pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Locked and Loaded wrote:
I think she is saying in the picture, " I always cleans me teef like this."
that is gross!

Report this post »

Locked and Loaded, says...
6:32pm Wed 19 Mar 08

I think I've see one,check out the picture above. Mrs Slim Shady perhaps !!

Report this post »

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott, The Bathroom says...
6:38pm Wed 19 Mar 08

There is nothing wrong with bottle blondes or indeed blonds, Locked.

Some of the best people I have ever met get their hair colour straight out of a bottle.

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott

Report this post »

L, orp says...
6:41pm Wed 19 Mar 08

yes but why are rats the way they are and considered vermin?...because of the way us humans live!

Report this post »

Locked and Loaded, says...
6:42pm Wed 19 Mar 08

I need hair out of a bottle. Or off the barbers floor. !! :)

Report this post »

Tel, the toilet says...
7:06pm Wed 19 Mar 08

J wrote:
Concerned and Horrified, how do you think the rat felt as it was being drowned? This woman could have opened a window, shut the bathroom door and let it go, but oh no she had to slaughter an innocent creature. I can see who the real animal is here.
quote
She probably needed to open the window anyway after what she had just done before the rat came calling.

Report this post »

Robbie, Paris says...
7:09pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Tommy Mousse wrote:
Sorry wrote:
The picture of her looks like she is still mid way through pushing one out or someone has pulled a chair out from behind her!!
I have just blown up the picture. This lady is laying a cable - you can tell by the way she is standing.

She said the rat was BLACK - there are NO BLACK rats in Britain.

My theory is that she dumped a large log after a heavy curry and some Guinness ( hence the blackness ans it pan bounced bacp and bit her on the arse. She actually drowned her own William the third.

What do other readers think ?
She IS taking a dump on the floor.

Report this post »

Mary Holils, Beckenham says...
7:12pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Robbie wrote:
Tommy Mousse wrote:
Sorry wrote:
The picture of her looks like she is still mid way through pushing one out or someone has pulled a chair out from behind her!!
I have just blown up the picture. This lady is laying a cable - you can tell by the way she is standing.

She said the rat was BLACK - there are NO BLACK rats in Britain.

My theory is that she dumped a large log after a heavy curry and some Guinness ( hence the blackness ans it pan bounced bacp and bit her on the arse. She actually drowned her own William the third.

What do other readers think ?
She IS taking a dump on the floor.
does guinness make your poo black ?

Report this post »

Rat Catcher, welling says...
7:14pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Believe or not this doe's happen but is very rare. Ive come accross this twice in 15 years and is normally caused by a break in the drains or an intercepter cap missing. But all things considerd i dont think it was black because even though black rats do occur in britain it is very rare.

Report this post »

Aslan, Narnia says...
7:21pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Captain's log star date 2008. As yet unable to find life on Mars, however did detect rats on Uranus.

Report this post »

Lucy, Narnia says...
7:24pm Wed 19 Mar 08

It was only Samuel Whiskers after some chocolate roly poly pudding!

Report this post »

Scabbers, In a toilet somewhere in Greenwich says...
7:31pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Daniel Ratcliff was only trying to find the Chamber Of Secrets when Ms Killingback decided she was going nippet in the bud.

Report this post »

kkk, greenwich says...
7:33pm Wed 19 Mar 08

lol at the last 2 comments, why does the shopper hv to use the term rheumatism when all it means is a medical problem. their trying to sound clever lol wt really has she gt wrong with her she doesnt look disabled

Report this post »

kkk, ncnd says...
7:35pm Wed 19 Mar 08

lol at a qoute she said it was a big, black one about seven or eight inches hahahahahahaha

Report this post »

Jade, N/Fleet says...
7:48pm Wed 19 Mar 08

If it was a privately rented property environmental health dept would be slapping an order on the landlord in an instant! However in this case it can wait several weeks as it is not the private sector. The council can get away with it in other words.

Report this post »

Arkady Babchenko, Bromley says...
8:13pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Jade wrote:
If it was a privately rented property environmental health dept would be slapping an order on the landlord in an instant! However in this case it can wait several weeks as it is not the private sector. The council can get away with it in other words.
Crap (excuse the pun). The freeloader's looking for a move to a better house and is using this figment of her imagination as a lever with the council.

Report this post »

Dr Maurice Collet, Shirley says...
8:14pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Mary Holils wrote:
Robbie wrote:
Tommy Mousse wrote:
Sorry wrote:
The picture of her looks like she is still mid way through pushing one out or someone has pulled a chair out from behind her!!
I have just blown up the picture. This lady is laying a cable - you can tell by the way she is standing.

She said the rat was BLACK - there are NO BLACK rats in Britain.

My theory is that she dumped a large log after a heavy curry and some Guinness ( hence the blackness ans it pan bounced bacp and bit her on the arse. She actually drowned her own William the third.

What do other readers think ?
She IS taking a dump on the floor.
does guinness make your poo black ?
Yes Guinness or indeed any foodstuff that contains a high Iron content will indeed turn your poo black.
This unfortunate woman who had been drinking Guinnness heavily the previous evening had planted a stool high in Iron content.Research has shown that Iron in faces attracts mice and rats as they find the taste appealing.This is also the reason that mice rodents chew through electric cables (as well as Maxines !!)

Until the Council has attended I would advise Maxine to reduce her Alcohol intake or maybe use a bucket and then empty this in the toilet.
In

Report this post »

Jade, N/Fleet says...
8:34pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Ah so maybe the rats were drunk after consuming guiness poo? Everything looks attractive after a few pints, no wonder one took a bite at first sight, he must have been so bold and full of cheek!

Report this post »

mark, dartford says...
11:51pm Wed 19 Mar 08

Perhaps she had recently consumed
Ratatoee.

Report this post »

poo poo, poo land says...
12:51am Thu 20 Mar 08

I can smell a very large one!!

Report this post »

?????????, kent says...
7:47am Thu 20 Mar 08

so where is proof of the rat if she has ment to of killed it .. any one can say was bit by animal .. i can smell big one here

Report this post »

Nat, Blackheath says...
8:15am Thu 20 Mar 08

The council are useless when it comes to dealing with pest problems unless you let them know you are serious. My advice is to go to a hardware store and get a humane trap and catch a rat, then give it to the council. I had the misfortune of living in a rodent infested block of flats in Woolwich and the council told me it would be three weeks before they would send anybody out, I got some humane traps, loaded them up with peanut butter and I had caught a live mouse by the very next day. I took it to Riverside house and gave it to pest control, unfortunately pest control had all gone home early that day so the reception staff left the mouse in a chocolate tin on one of their desks, the pest control guy got it the next morning and came straight around to see me about it as he obviously didn't like finding a live mouse on his desk first thing in the morning. After explaining I didn't like mice in my flat either he agreed that they would put poison down within a matter of days not weeks. You have to speak their language and they don't like it if you turn vigilante, but what choice do you have if they won't do anything for three weeks? All you can do is take matters into your own hands and catch the rodents yourself and pass them on to pest control for them to deal with appropriately.

Report this post »

mt, says...
8:28am Thu 20 Mar 08

there is a perfectly reasonable explanation for this..Mrs K was clearly "rat arsed" at the time of incident.

Report this post »

Mabel, says...
10:31am Thu 20 Mar 08

mt wrote:
there is a perfectly reasonable explanation for this..Mrs K was clearly "rat arsed" at the time of incident.
LOL!

Report this post »

hilary.richardson, Croydon says...
11:02am Thu 20 Mar 08

Perhaps she was going for a coy poo, but it's good to see her beavering around the toilet.I think the rat missed her by a whisker.

Report this post »

Sunny, London says...
11:20am Thu 20 Mar 08

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott wrote:
I presume this was a brown rat. At least it was for a moment until it encountered the bleach, I guess. If you come across any bottle blonde rats in the near future, feel assured that it originated in Woolwich. Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott
Billy Idol hair style rats!!!!!

Report this post »

anon, St Pauls Cray says...
11:20am Thu 20 Mar 08

I know this is a joke for some of you but I'll bet the one's taking the P are the one's that privately own their homes. I live in a Broomleigh property in Orpington and have had all manner of nastiness coming up in my toilet from other peoples poo to used tampons it is absoultely ludicrase that we are expected to live like this what ever happened to their DECENT HOMES STANDARD its a JOKE!

Report this post »

Steve, London says...
11:39am Thu 20 Mar 08

The chances are it was just a particularly feisty log she had to drown with a bog brush, bleach, washing powder and dynamite, and even after a few attempts she could still see it's head poking out.

Come on we've all been there, especially with the line "Phewwee, I wouldn't go in there for a week or two, i've just drowned a couple of rats!!"

Report this post »

Sunny, London says...
11:42am Thu 20 Mar 08

anon wrote:
I know this is a joke for some of you but I'll bet the one's taking the P are the one's that privately own their homes. I live in a Broomleigh property in Orpington and have had all manner of nastiness coming up in my toilet from other peoples poo to used tampons it is absoultely ludicrase that we are expected to live like this what ever happened to their DECENT HOMES STANDARD its a JOKE!
Yes, you got it in one. Us home owners who work and earn money to PROVIDE for ourselves. If you can't afford to have a roof over your head - tough!! Least you got something, other countries would give you a poor me hand out now would they??

Report this post »

Princess Pocohontas, Gravesend says...
11:56am Thu 20 Mar 08

Sunny, you took the words right out of my mouth!

Report this post »

M Whitehouse, London says...
12:08pm Thu 20 Mar 08

anon wrote:
I know this is a joke for some of you but I'll bet the one's taking the P are the one's that privately own their homes. I live in a Broomleigh property in Orpington and have had all manner of nastiness coming up in my toilet from other peoples poo to used tampons it is absoultely ludicrase that we are expected to live like this what ever happened to their DECENT HOMES STANDARD its a JOKE!
Do we really need to tolerate this kind of comment? Oh come on dear there are some subjects that really ought be PRIVATE. We don't want to know what floats in your lavatory. Please don't hang your dirty washing for all to see. Keep your skeletons in your own cupboard! I am going to vomit now. That is absolutely DISGUSTING! ...by the way all the other comments were immensely hilarious! Must go ...bile rising.

Report this post »

Chete Pallis, Plumstead says...
12:09pm Thu 20 Mar 08

What was Chris Roberts doing in her loo anyway?

Report this post »

Homeowner, London says...
12:14pm Thu 20 Mar 08

Sunny, i'm with you on that one too. I mean who do these people think they are? IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE FREEBIES YOU'RE GETTING THEN LEAVE!!!! We won't stop you.

Report this post »

Another Homeowner, London says...
12:22pm Thu 20 Mar 08

Yes they should be careful not to throw the baby out with the bath-water. Or look a gift horse in the mouth! I think that this is a ploy by the tenant to be moved to another more desirable area, perhaps near a relative or by the sea. I might believe 1 rat coming past the U bend but 2 or 3 or more, no way, they must have had to hold their breaths for a bloody long time playing follow my leader. Who is she anyway? The pied bleeding piper?

Report this post »

mwah, dartford says...
1:35pm Thu 20 Mar 08

he he, this is hysterical. keep it up guys.

Report this post »

mt, says...
2:45pm Thu 20 Mar 08

I have just heard...UB40 are releasing a sequel..there's a rat in mi bathroom what am i gonna do..... update on the rat - he is not dead - feeling very flushed tho

Report this post »

Sonny, London says...
4:07pm Thu 20 Mar 08

To Anon,
People that OWN their own property face these problems too. The difference is that owners have to ring around, organise and PAY FOR THIER OWN pest control. Also they don't have anyone to whinge too or hold responsible instead having to sort it all out themselves. She should think herself lucky that someone else is dealing with it and if she isn't happy with that service she can easily call pest control and pay for it herself. Rats cant tell the difference between someone on benefits and the workers so stop suffering from POOR ME syndrome, it will get you nowhere.

Report this post »

Fred Quimby, Richmond says...
4:11pm Thu 20 Mar 08

Rat's are vermin! The less in Britain the better. I feel sickened that some people feel that this is a joke. OK I can see that some of the comments are funny, but come on. If it happened to you it would not be a joke at all. Driven out of your home by rats is not funny.

Report this post »

Locked and Loaded, says...
4:31pm Thu 20 Mar 08

Chete Pallis Plumstead, were you a 'Billy Bunter' in a past life ??.

I think Maxine was listening to The Boomtown Rats ..Rat Trap at the time.

Report this post »

SUNNY, LONDON says...
4:32pm Thu 20 Mar 08

Just to let you all know that Sonny and Sorry are not me and not to be mistaken to be me. Thanks, SUNNY

Report this post »

The real Me, Here says...
5:00pm Thu 20 Mar 08

SUNNY wrote:
Just to let you all know that Sonny and Sorry are not me and not to be mistaken to be me. Thanks, SUNNY
...i would never mistake you for Sorry, Sunny....

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Report this post »

MRSR, SIDCUP says...
7:01pm Thu 20 Mar 08

OH MY GOD - she just been on the tele - telling her sorry tale - or should I say Rats Tail

Report this post »

Tabitha, says...
7:13pm Thu 20 Mar 08

Being the Year of the Rat, the poor King Rat was taking a stroll around the bowl when it was faced with an annus horribilis!

Report this post »

Where's Harry, says...
7:43pm Thu 20 Mar 08

That was my pet rat, his name was Harry Harpic, since she poured bleach on him he's gone clean round the bend!

Report this post »

The Grim Reaper, Everywhere says...
7:47pm Thu 20 Mar 08

What was Chris Roberts doing in her loo anyway?
It cannot have been the Poison Dwarf , he does not know where Deptford is. It is a far greater evil that only rarely appears in the United Kingdom. It is... listeners of a nervous disposition should run away now ...the truly dreadful Len Duvall who returns at this time. Thankfully after 1st May nobody will see him for at least another four years.

Report this post »

Steve, New York says...
10:29pm Thu 20 Mar 08

Wow! You Brits are really not funny at all.

Report this post »

Pauline, Castle says...
12:01am Fri 21 Mar 08

Let\'s be nice wrote:
Judging by the photograph, the rat must have had a strong stomach . You wouldn\'t catch me biting her on the bum.
Just wait until you are over 60 and have aged. I think your friends and family must have a strong stomach in dealing with your apparent immaturity and unchivalrous manners. Consider a stint in a reputable finishing school?

Report this post »

OAP, orpington says...
12:27am Fri 21 Mar 08

kkk wrote:
lol at a qoute she said it was a big, black one about seven or eight inches hahahahahahaha
well if I found a big black one seven or eight inches long waiting for me in my bathroom I wouldnt kill it, at my age I'd think meself lucky!!!

Report this post »

Jean-Luc, Brisbane says...
7:37am Fri 21 Mar 08

Nothing wrong with the old lady, don't mess with her, that's all, a rat that bites a person should be as good as dead, what's wrong with you lot, never shot a rat??
As for Ro meopham on, do yourself a favour please learn to spell English properly, it's not too hard if you try and your argument will have more weight.

Report this post »

debbie, greenwich says...
8:41am Fri 21 Mar 08

i no this woman and she is lying out of her teeth , anythink to get money a max , sad sad sad !!!!!!!!!!!

Report this post »

chris, nj says...
11:46am Fri 21 Mar 08

Were the rats associated with Pastor Jeremiah Wright? If so, it could hurt their chances to lead the country.

Report this post »

Travelling Canadian, Botswana says...
1:15pm Fri 21 Mar 08

Steve wrote:
Wow! You Brits are really not funny at all.
Lighten up Steve, you're obviously not a Monty Python fan!

There is another story in here the followind day about a rat infestation in Woolwich, so it's possible the woman did have rats.
Quote: "MORE problems with rats in Greenwich have been reported.

Yesterday News Shopper told how a disabled woman in Deptford was bitten by a rat which came up through her toilet while she was sitting on it.

Now businesses in Woolwich have reported problems with rodents.

Building works are believed to have disturbed a colony of rats."

Your comments have all kept me laughing!

Report this post »

Phill Officer, Australia says...
7:26am Sun 23 Mar 08

Steve wrote:
Wow! You Brits are really not funny at all.
Nah Steve.

You Yanks just can't understand British English. Not your fault though mate, you lot just use some bastardised form of the language.

Yadda..Yadda..Yadda.
..

Report this post »

G, orpington says...
1:24am Thu 27 Mar 08

Rats dont attack they only try to get past what is in thier way.
He probably didn't know it was a ladies bum just something in his way.

lol

Attack of the killer rats.

Report this post »

peeta, bromley says...
10:43am Thu 27 Mar 08

poor rat, she should have drowned her ugly self and let ratty live!

Report this post »

phil, branehurst says...
1:23pm Thu 27 Mar 08

did that womwan used to be a backing singer for the 'rat-pack'?

Report this post »

Highly Amused, Bristol says...
9:22pm Thu 27 Mar 08

Hmm, looks like she wasn't finished when jumped off the loo - I think she needs some carpet cleaner, never mind a bog brush.

Report this post »

Tracy, says...
9:48am Fri 28 Mar 08

Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott wrote:
Caption: Mrs Killingback in ratta-tat-attack position stands guard over toilet bowl. Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott
Your Lord, Erastus Theobald Piggott .
I have to say i quiet enjoy your comments,you have a fun touch to writing.x
quote

Report this post »

The Comedy Genius, Orpington says...
11:14am Fri 28 Mar 08

Don't worry Maxine i'm sure Broomleigh will reimburse you for the 99p bottle of Bleach you so casually threw down the loo if you ask nicely!

Report this post »

kadsy, Biggin Hill says...
11:49am Fri 28 Mar 08

Locked and Loaded wrote:
I think she is saying in the picture, " I always cleans me teef like this."
HAHAHAHA Nice one

Report this post »

Bill Froog, Greenwich says...
2:07pm Fri 28 Mar 08

Totally sensationilistic toilet reporting at its finest.

Crap Comment generator.

Phwoarrrr

Report this post »

LOOOL, Orpington says...
2:58pm Fri 28 Mar 08

Tommy Mousse wrote:
Sorry wrote: The picture of her looks like she is still mid way through pushing one out or someone has pulled a chair out from behind her!!
I have just blown up the picture. This lady is laying a cable - you can tell by the way she is standing. She said the rat was BLACK - there are NO BLACK rats in Britain. My theory is that she dumped a large log after a heavy curry and some Guinness ( hence the blackness ans it pan bounced bacp and bit her on the arse. She actually drowned her own William the third. What do other readers think ?
haha Tommy i got to say your comment had me in Hysterics i coudlnt read it for laughing. Has definantly made my morning .

Report this post »

j9, London says...
3:48pm Fri 28 Mar 08

I believe it - someone at my work last week got bitten by a rat was rushed to A&E!

Report this post »

shopper, says...
4:40pm Fri 28 Mar 08

Ok, I think the jokes have gone into overkill.
Spare a thought for this poor lady who suffers from rheumatism in her legs and back. She clearly does not exactly look the picture of health , does she ?
So, quit taking the rise.
It could be you !
.

Report this post »

NEWSSHOPPER, KENT says...
10:20am Sat 29 Mar 08

IF YOU KNEW THE WOMAN THEN YOU KNOW ITS A SCAM HER HOLE FAMILY ARE LIKE IT !! SHE HAS PROBABLY RUN OUT OF MONEY AND NEEDS IT FOR HER ALCOHOL!!!

Report this post »

Mrs Becks, anywhere but near this bog trotter says...
5:56pm Sat 29 Mar 08

LOOOL wrote:
Tommy Mousse wrote:
Sorry wrote: The picture of her looks like she is still mid way through pushing one out or someone has pulled a chair out from behind her!!
I have just blown up the picture. This lady is laying a cable - you can tell by the way she is standing. She said the rat was BLACK - there are NO BLACK rats in Britain. My theory is that she dumped a large log after a heavy curry and some Guinness ( hence the blackness ans it pan bounced bacp and bit her on the arse. She actually drowned her own William the third. What do other readers think ?
haha Tommy i got to say your comment had me in Hysterics i coudlnt read it for laughing. Has definantly made my morning .
She does look a bit rough ! - I am surprised the rat didnt get concusion after she dropped her turtles head on it - I bet she packs a fair size log. Looking at the photo it looks like she is about to park up another.......

BOMBS AWAY.....

Report this post »

Linda, says...
7:08pm Sat 29 Mar 08

For those of you who can't read, the photo is taken at her partner's flat, not hers. Why then can she not live there?? Sounds to me like she is after a quick move. A friend of mine who had to leave her privately rented flat because of harrasement from yobs in the flat below her, can not get re housed by Greenwich council. They say she is not a priority, even though they have a young son. Her husband and herself both work but are in the catch 22 situation, because they both work but they do not earn enough to buy a property. Maybe I will have to tell her to say she was bitten on the bum by a rat while her 10 kids were looking for food in the bins because their dad was too drunk to get off his butt and get a job.!!!

Report this post »

Ashton, Greenwich, says...
9:36pm Sat 29 Mar 08

Sonny, London: stupid comment. Even if someone is in council housing doesn't mean tampons coming up in the toilet's acceptable. Quite right people should complain.

That all said I laughed like a drain at all the comments above. You couldn't make all this stuff up.

Report this post »

Linda, Greenwich says...
12:00am Sun 30 Mar 08

shopper wrote:
Ok, I think the jokes have gone into overkill.
Spare a thought for this poor lady who suffers from rheumatism in her legs and back. She clearly does not exactly look the picture of health , does she ?
So, quit taking the rise.
It could be you !
.
No you are right.It must be hard for her to take a dump,then again she managed to kill the "Rat" quickly.

Maybe Greenwich Council should provide her with a commode.

However she should cut back on her drinking.

Report this post »

South East, South East says...
7:01pm Sun 30 Mar 08

Mo needs to go back to nursery school and learn to read and write properly. Rats are a very serious problem cause disease and serious health conditions. Greenwich Council should have respnded immediately whatever the time day or night. Get a life Mo and a Education.

Report this post »

jamie, Lewisham says...
5:03pm Mon 31 Mar 08

quote
the funniest thing on this story is RO the illiterate blogger. Dis id Riiiispect Blad

Report this post »

fizz, says...
2:32pm Sat 5 Apr 08

Thanks you all so much - the tears of laughter are streaming down my face!

Report this post »

Bartek, Lewisham says...
7:56pm Sat 5 Apr 08

Guys, some of you are crazy! Poor woman, feel realy sorry for her. But this is London and I do not belive such a stupid things Greenwich Council doing... 3 weeks??!! It can be just in England... I wish Greenwich Council to be attack by the milion of rats!!!!

Report this post »

mwah, dartford says...
10:56pm Mon 7 Apr 08

well done u lot, wat a story!!! hehe keep the giggles going, but watch out 4 roland xx

Report this post »

Hairy Potter, peterborough says...
1:47pm Tue 8 Apr 08

looks like she's been rat-arsed quite a lot in her life

Report this post »

Sqrl, Planet Earth says...
5:05am Mon 6 Oct 08

Ro wrote:
how sad is dat! why didnt she jst open d winda n shut d door. i fell sorry 4 d rats. dey r living 2 wot rite dus she hav 2 kill dem! dat is cruel!
You are certainly a Pearl Among Swine

:) Love It

Report this post »

Comments are closed on this article.

Maxine Killingback recreates the scene at her partner's Woolwich flat Maxine Killingback recreates the scene at her partner's Woolwich flat

In this section

Essential Links

Sponsored Links



When news happens – email newsdesk, call 01689 885703 or text keyword NEWS SHOPPER along with your news, pictures and videos to 80360.

Local Advertisers


Local Information

Enter your postcode, town or place name

House prices »   Schools »   Crime »   Hospitals »