‘It wasn’t until we moved to Spain that we realised how corrupt the country is’ (From Thisisdorset)

‘It wasn’t until we moved to Spain that we realised how corrupt the country is’

6:05am Monday 4th August 2008 in

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A DEVASTATED Christchurch couple who spent their life savings on a dream home in Spain could be made homeless as their property faces demolition.

John and Irene Jones sunk everything they had into a move to Almeria in Southern Spain four years ago, hoping for a better quality of life.

But the dream has turned into a nightmare for the retired couple facing the horrifying news that their home, and 19 others on the same estate, was constructed illegally and could be torn down.

Mr Jones, 70, said: "We were assured by the estate agents, the builders and even the town mayor that everything was above board.

"Suddenly, the police came down and stopped all building in the area.

"The problem is that the houses were built on what they call rustic land.

"Because the land has not been urbanised there should not be any development here.

"We're told that the plans to urbanise the land keep getting suppressed."

The case has been ongoing for two years, but just eight weeks ago the couple received an unexpected letter explaining that they could now lose their home - and all the money invested in their new life.

Mr Jones, a retired caretaker at St Walburga's Catholic School in Bournemouth, said: "If the worst happens we don't have much choice. We sold our home in Britain and cashed in our pensions, so basically we will be homeless."

Mr and Mrs Jones were both widowed when they met online in 2000. They got married in September 2003 and were attracted by Spain's economic and health benefits.

"We came to this area on holiday and loved it so much that we put our house on the market as soon as we got home," Mr Jones said. "We stayed in a bed and breakfast while an estate agent helped us find the perfect property.

"When you go on holiday you have a good time and go home. It wasn't until we moved here that we realised just how corrupt the country is."

The pensioners, along with the 19 other couples and families, are now waiting for judges to decide the fate of their home and are clinging to the hope of receiving compensation for their loss.