63 year old Briton, Len Prior, who has a heart condition, collapsed at the scene as the demolition took place on Wednesday

British pensioner, 63 year old Len Prior, collapsed onto the ground as demolition men moved in to knock down his home in the La Loma area of Vera, Almeria on Wednesday. He is known to have a heart condition. He and his wife purchased the retirement property in Vera unaware that they were entering into a network of corrupt builders and lawyers who allegedly paid backhanders to local officials.

The Priors were told that their home had planning permission, and Mayor of Vera, Félix López, agrees they were given permission in 2002, but the Junta de Andalucía insists the building was erected illegally on rustic land, and the Judge agreed with the regional government and ordered demolition. The local Mayor told the local Ideal newspaper that he is very angry at what has happened, saying it has made Vera the illegal development scapegoat in Almería province.

The Councillor for Public Works of the Junta, Luis Caparrós, said that the Andalucian Government had respected the order of the judge which was firm, and that by doing so legality had been restored. A total of 17 homes in La Loma de Vera face demolition.

British newspaper The Daily Mail claims the couple was given just two hours to get out of their home. Wife Helen Prior, also aged 63, said that thankfully the neighbours helped them to get all their possessions out in time.
It’s thought to be the first case of a British owned home in Spain to be demolished in such a way.
Tho following is the comment from a Spaniard:
Would you buy a home in Spain? Anyone who even thinks about it needs their head examining. We have a Prime Minister (idiot) who is merrily looking the other way while his ship of state sinks into recession right under his feet, and a so-called justice system that allows local politicians (thieves and liars) to change or manipulate the rules to suit themselves. I hope this tale of corruption, greed, and blatant disregard of Len Prior’s human rights finds its way to the front page of every newspaper in Europe.