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Vol. 12 Issue 285 www.theolivepress.es February 14th - February 27th 2018
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Gone fishin’
OCEAN C@FÉ & BAR
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Seasoned conwoman Paula Neale ‘flees to France’ with cops in pursuit Puerto de la Duquesa,
Estepona
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Born to be wild
Puerto Duquesa Sabinillas
Manilva’s laidback vibe is founded on fish and wine and that authentic flavour is still something to savour, writes Jed Neill
I
TS rock pools full of tiny darting fish recall British seaside holidays of old while fishing boats still compete with sunloungers for space on the beach. Manilva is quite unlike your average Costa resort. Even in swanky Duquesa marina, you sense the history of a town whose first health tourist was Julius Caesar. And when you tuck into the shellfish - Duquesa’s speciality - you realise the locals know something about fish. In Roman times, Manilva was to garum (a paste, like Gencoves tleman’s Relish, that was all line of drying squids, while (inset) kids play on one of the many rocky NATURAL WONDERS: Sights on Manilva’s beaches include a shopping Jerez rage inofRome) you can practitheoutside August, July andwhat Indeed on many weekends sherry.and a good number have great yourself… to to TS hidden craggy coves fringed with wild grasses and flowers owe cally have the beaches is more to Cornwall’s rugged coastline than Spain’s Costa del Sol. chiringuitos to eat on. The town’s roots in fish saltyou to explore - and place deep runfind still you the perfect Chullera, But these are the attractive protected natural beaches of Manilva, a On one beach at Punta ing of of tourists remains a handful seeatthe another stillwhile the sea, true haven for nature lovers. Worlds away from the heavily commerrock pools and dive into can cialised sands of nearby Mijas or Fuengirola, four kilometres of golden to the half dozen of unspoilt beaches, that lie below the main N340 sunbathe next to a group of squids drying on a line. 16 which is on Page Continues of Manilva, draws reserve. ecological as anAn wildDAY: being kept rocky Manilva shallows coastal road. But the beaches are just one of the natural playas areCATCH eel in the OF THE Endangered western snowy plovers, chameleons and rare species of “These are some of the best beaches on the Costa del Sol and some broadly split into three areas; beach-front Sabinillas, port-side Duquesa dune plants are among the flora and fauna in renaissance here since of the least known,” explains Bish Witkowski, owner of local Castles Continues on next page the conservation zone was created in 2011. agency. BRUNOS eagle-eyed tourists are also beginning to be drawn estate Unsurprisingly,
I
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EXCLUSIVE By Jed Neill
POLICE are in pursuit of seasoned expat fraudster Paula Neale who has fled to France following an Olive Press probe. Detectives contacted us following a tip off that the mother-of-two was staying in a hotel in Catalunya and preparing to cross the border this week. She had been staying at Hotel Figueres, near Girona, and asked to pay for the room using her ‘husband’s’ credit card. It comes after four years of investigation by the Olive Press has uncovered more than 30 victims of her rental scams undertaken in various false names.
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Ransacked
Neale, 43, took rental deposits for properties she didn’t own and allegedly ransacked properties she had rented before selling the stolen goods online. However, despite four stories and at least eight denuncias ON THE RUN: Paula and (above) against her, she has yet to be Spain-France border and her picked up by police. hotel They’re singling This is looking increasingly me out! He refused to leave his hoNEWS hire car. unlikely after a receptionist at Freeze on tel room or open the door to They claimed she had a long the hotel confirmed plastic that Paula her, setting off alarm bells for chequered track record of had checked out on Tuesday Neale, who packed up and left scams and problems, and had morning. after repeatedly trying to raise IN DENIAL: Guerrero a third son, who was taken She had been planning to him. into care. cross into France with her two Neale’s speedy departure The friend described her as an children, Nina, 12, and Oscar, came as the Olive Press was ‘unfit mother who long dis14 and live in Bordeaux. handing over details of variplayed erratic behaviour’. Staff at the hotel saidAllthe Balcon wins big aboard! room ous denuncias and victims to THE alleged lynchpin in was left On one occasion she even prea ‘complete mess’ PROBE: Previous story in the Guardia Civil in Malaga. Spain’s biggest ever political after she in tended to be her daughter to left a hurry, with A detective confirmed they the Olive Press fraud claims he made SIX police arrivinginwithin try and strike up a connection an hour. were ‘in a race against time’ previous confessions up. CHANGING FACES: Paula with her long-lost son. Her plan to escape France to get an arrest warrant with LIBERTYHOME Former Junta employment was rumbled by hertoown ducer’. Neale fled to France pal, Catalan police. boss Francisco Guerrero in- actor Anthony Webster, who But after meeting her at the One of her victims, Sara Belsists he did not personally ratted on Neale when he found hotel and agreeing to drive mont, says Interpol has been RRP 3,000€ gain from the ERE scandal, out her real identity. her to Bordeaux, he said he notified but because the felt ‘something wasn’t right’ that saw up to a billion euros Webster told the Olive Press crimes were committed in have you when this week that he had recently she claimed her mother embezzled over a decade. Spain, she must be charged got that had suddenly He claims he only gave details befriended Neale online. died and that she there. Liberty needed to leave immediately. of the so-called ‘reptile fund’ He said she had promised to Family and friends back in feeLing? help He researched his acting career and her online and that he allegedly oversaw, the UK meanwhile, confirmed Liberty that Seguros makes stumbled upon our catalogue insurance a better after police put considerable she knew people in the film that she had made it across OUR PRICE industry, claiming to beexperience. of stories. ‘a propressure on him. the border on Tuesday in a € For an instant quote call 91 342 25 49 or go to www.libertyexpatriates.es 10
the olive press - October 16 October 29 2014
NEWS
NEWS IN BRIEF
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Ashya thanks
BRITISH ambassador to Spain, Simon Manley, has thanked the Hospital Materno Infantil in Malaga for its treatment of Ashya King, on behalf of the British government.
www.theolivepress.es
Wasn’t me
ICELAND is the first supermarket in the world to remove plastic packaging from its own-label products. Customers of Overseas, which stocks Iceland products in 20 shops across Spain and Portugal, will benefit from the five-year plan to reduce plastics in 1,400 products. Calling plastics a ‘scourge’ on the world, Iceland managing director Richard Walker said: “A truckload is entering our oceans every minute, causing untold damage to our marine environment and ultimately humanity – since we all depend on the oceans for our survival.” Plastic ready meal trays will be removed first, followed by frozen vegetable bags changing to a paper based material.
Top stamps
SPECIAL edition stamps of King Felipe and Queen Letizia have been launched by postal service Correos. Showing official photographs of the Royal duo, they can be bought for €1.
Pensioner, 70, complains of discrimination after being ordered to take down extension, despite neighbours all having the same
January 17th - January 30th 2018
A FINNISH grandmother ordered to demolish a nineyear-old extension has accused Estepona Town Hall of being 'racially motivated' and 'singling' her out. Terttu Balson, 70, has been involved in an ongoing six-
EXCLUSIVE By Rob Horgan
without the correct planning permission. Several other properties in the Seghers community have similar extensions without planning licences - including Balson's next door Spanish neighbour - but Balson is the
Strike four!
Seasoned conwoman Paula Neale caught by the Olive Press a fourth time
year legal battle with the town hall after they served her with a demolition order and fined her €24,300 in 2008 for building a loft extension
Boozy trips
ONE in seven youngsters coming to Spain on holiday have admitted that they are drunk on the plane, according to a survey by website Jetcost. com.
Big Willy
MANCHESTER City goalkeeper Willy Caballero has told La Liga officials that he was approached by a match-fixing syndicate when playing for Malaga last year.
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: Terttu’s
‘illegal’ extension and adjoining
neighbour’s (right)
5
only resident facing court action. "It is completely discriminatory, I cannot help but think that it is not a coincidence that I have been chosen when I am the only foreigner living here," she told the Olive Press. Balson believed she had received planning permission when she contracted a Spanish architect Mario Jones in 2005. Now however, she feels that he did not do his job properly despite being paid €2,500 to take over the project and sort out the building licence. Jones, however, said he feels 'no guilt or responsibility and that Balson is to blame for the situation. He said: "I told her from the beginning that she wasn't allowed to build. Most people get away with it but she DESPERATE: Balson hasn't. "She is definitely being un- and dogs fairly treated and I am not sure why. I hope that the with so many foreigners livtown hall is not targeting her ing on the coast I don't think it happens now." because she is foreign. "Maybe that sort of thing Despite numerous attempts happened in the old days, but Estepona Town Hall did not answer any of our questions.
Still on-the-run
EXCLUSIVE By Jed Neill
Offer
A SEASONED British fraudster has struck again. Paula Neale - exposed in the Olive Press four times in two years - has brought her dirty tricks to the Costa del Sol again. The rentals conwoman has snared a series of unsuspecting foreigners through her well oiled ruse of sub-letting properties. A number of victims have lost thousands in lost deposits, after she took over a two-bedroom apartment in Mijas. Using the alias ‘Sharon Tate’ she rented the Riviera apartment for three months, before
A WANTED property fraudster has been tracked down to a luxury home in Benahavis, after an exclusive Olive Press investigation this month. According to neighbours in kids barely went to school upmarket La Heredia urbanand rarely even came out to isation, Rebecca Wells, 37, play. has fled owing money to sev“She never mixed with the loeral businesses. cal community here and one Keen horserider Wells - who day she was gone leaving an spent eight years posing as unpaid electricity bill.” an estate agent - is now being The Olive Press has still been sought by police, as reported unable to contact Wells, over in the Olive Press last issue, her defrauding of expats who after four denuncias were paid rent on properties she posted against her. did not own. “She owes money to the DISAPPEARED: Wells and La Wells, aka Prior, allegedly Heredia, where she rented a butcher, restaurant and the home took a series of deposits for baker, as well as for repairs to homes which her car,” said one neighbour. former neighbour Frank Coreported concern for her four If you have she did not own. An expat couple living oppo- myn, president of the Palmany information children. about Rebecca Wells, please site Wells’ house in the ur- eras del Golf urbanisation Comyn, who lived opposite contact banisation reported that they in Benalmadena Costa, has her for two years said: “The press.es newsdesk@theolivesaw her packing all the family’s possessions into a rental car on October 1 the day our expose came out. When the Olive Press visited a few days later, the house had clearly been abandoned and the family car - a black Fabulous food and entertainment Chrysler - was apparently including a 5* Christmas or New Years Eve Gala Dinner dumped outside. with fine wine Meanwhile another
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YEar the locks she has preto change Paying €1,700 fromChristmas November& NEw to February, Paula said she was vented anyone else moving in. Taken moving in with her child and However, in just the short a ride for amount of time she was over black cat. However, after reading our ex- this month, two disappointed pose on Neale in early Decem- couples arrived to stay. ber, Belmont quickly started to “One couple from Russia had investigate and found her prop- paid a two month deposit of erty being advertised to rent €1,400 for a year’s rental. They through a variety of Facebook were gutted,” Belmont told the Olive Press. groups. One had been shared an incred- “Then a few hours later an English couple turned up, also with ible 4,000 times. Fortunately she was able to a year’s lease and having paid move fast and after coming over a deposit.” It is unknown how many people in total fell for the scam, but her property was in a terrible state with a stereo and a toolkit also stolen. It took three days to clean. “It has got to stop,” added Belmont. “When is this going to end?” So far she has been unable to track down Neale, but has put up reward notices in various vets around Calahonda. In 2017, the Olive Press twice exposed Neale’s antics. But it has also emerged that we exposed her using the name ‘Sharon Tate’ in 2016 in inland Malaga. A new UK number Paula had been using did not answer our calls. UP UP AND
AWAY IN WONDERFUL
BENALMADENA. SEE SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT The original ON P21-36 and investigative only English-language newspaper in Andalucía
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Maddie: New sighting claim
VICTIMS are hunting erty fraudster who has an alleged propCosta del Sol owing vanished from the euros. tens of thousands EXCLUSIVE The Guardia of By Imogen Civil confirmed days as a is investigating Calderwood me aroundholiday rental, but horse-owninglast night it posits becca Wells expat Reto rent properties an 11-monthit and convinced she showed cias against after receiving me to sign contract. four denun- claim to. that she has “I want Briton Wells,her. One victim, no clared. her caught and 37, also known Page 11 British expat accused of punished,” told the Olive duping people as Prior, he deRaymond Wells, a Press: “I Iost Paul, hampton, mother-of-two into paying is posit on renting a €1,000 de- “She from Wolverappears to de- same had actuallya home she didn’t have repeated trick at different own. only rented the properties it for four the region over around A Facebook the last eight years. campaign has now launched by the group, been ing to gather aimas possible. as many victims In the case Yorkshire, of Paul, 60, from as a deposithe put down €500 first month’sand €500 for the erty in La rent at the propCala de Mijas August. in But after just three days asked Paul Wells and his clear out wife to certificate‘so an urgent energy dealt with’. matter could be “We were AN embattled two days, left in the dark for centre animal rescue owner has discoveredand upon returning the admitted staying there,another couple Kimplace is ‘out of control’. our possessionswith many of now Halliwell (above) still inside,” 15 agreed to allow an has he said. dogs and initial “We still her Mijas many cats to leave kennels, get some haven’t managed to an Olive following absolutelythings back, we are It comes Press investigation. furious and after filed a denuncia.” have spected the police also inWhen Paul site, following various denuncias set up an meeting urgent mer from forBLAZE: cuss whatwith Wells to dis- Afterstaff. F1 legend had happened, we told of Gachot (inset) failed to show. the she conditions’ loses yacht at Kim’s ‘terrible However Rescue, friends in fire Animal their earlyanother couple in ers and supportrallied around up telling 20s also turned aim of him they cutting the with the similar amount had lost animals by number of half. of money. a The “Lots of her Olive victims are worse situation emergency Press attended an in meeting, spoke than us, anda various who knows are still to how many more found other centres and with new volunteers. come out has woodwork,” he added. of the We have now Another launched appeal an is Stuart victim who lost out animals.to find homes for the Hall, 44, and his Continues
It’s the pits! EXCLUSIVE
‘Animal centre needs rescuing’
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Police probe alleged expat property fraudster who ‘took homes she deposits for didn’t own’
HUNTED: Rebecca on her horse Wells
A LUXURY nus is ownedyacht that burst by ex-Formula into flames in Bertrand Gachot, it One racing Puerto BaThe 51-year-old can be revealed. driver Frenchman, dan between €2 million 1989 and 1995, who raced for Jormorning. yacht Gilliana that is the owner of the blew up on Two crew Sunday members with serious were rushed woman, 34, burns to his hands to hospital, one was treated and another, The 23-metre for smoke inhalation. a €42,000-a-weekPrincess yacht Gilliana to rent, via Rentals. costs Diamovit A source said: Exclusive “Gachot is The driver very upset.” Grand Prix was famously thrown team for spraying out of the the roundabout at Hyde Park CS gas at a taxi Jordan ceived a two-month driver Corner, for His race seat prison stint. which he on reacher, makingwas temporarily his Formula filled by Michael One debut. Schum-
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ALL CHANGE: Passport names and (right) 2016 story the owner, mother-of-three, the authorities in Gibraltar, Sara Belmont, rumbled the where she believes Paula keeps her money. scam. The 41-year-old owner, a fire- She told the Olive Press how she fighter from London, has now was contacted by Neale through brought in police and contacted an online rental website.
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IT has the best caves in Andalucia and some of the best beaches in Malaga province. Known as ‘Balcon de Europa’ it is somewhat fitting that Nerja has been chosen as one of the must visit destinations this year. Travel site Tripadvisor has listed the resort among its top 10 emerging worldwide destinations. It is the only destination in Spain to be tipped, with Gdansk, in Poland, Riga, in Latvia and Rovinj, in Croatia.
THE first ever ferry link between Ireland and Spain has been announced by Brittany Ferries. The company presented its new route from Cork to northern Spain today. It will begin at the end of April and will link Cork and Santander, with two return trips per week. It is the first ever link between the two countries.
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Guerrero is facing eight years in prison for embezzling €65 million of money from the €647 million emergency public fund that he managed between 1999 and 2008.
Struggling
The money had been set aside to support struggling Andalucian businesses. Instead, Guerrero allegedly awarded fake grants to companies registered in the names of more than 100 of his family members, friends and fellow PSOE politicians. His driver, Juan Francisco Trujillo - nicknamed the ‘co-
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However, a number of people who have worked with her, insisted that there was no such number, or anyone trained to accept calls. Indeed, on the charity’s official website www.childlineandalucia.org, there is no telephone number given for children in need. A section, called ‘Ziggy’s Helpline’ states: ‘Once our team of qualified counsellors has been established we are going to launch our telephone helpline for children and teenagers across southern Spain to call in and speak to a dedicated support professional about any problem they may be dealing with.’ Despite many attempts we were unable to contact Bennett to clear up the matter.
EX-BOSS: Bennett A local source, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “The fact is there is no helpline set up, while she definitely received a salary for some length of time. So what is going on?” The Charity Commission in the UK confirmed that the not-for-profit had been officially dissolved by Companies House in December of
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MYSTERY surrounds a child helpline charity which shut its doors last week without ever allegedly setting up a phone line - despite taking donations for four years. The Childline Andalucia shop, in Sabinillas, which sold second hand items, closed after its British founder Tracey Leigh Bennett resigned from her post. It comes after several expats told the Olive Press that, despite opening the shop two years ago, no helpline for children has ever been set up. This was despite several specific fundraising events, including concerts by expat band the Jersey Boys, being held to raise money for the childline. The Olive Press and other local media gave free publicity and adverts to promote the charity.
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CHASING CORRUPTION P6
Expat charity Childline set up to help kids in Andalucia closes shop
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2016 after it failed to file its accounts. This is despite the charity’s website claiming until recently that it was still registered in the UK. “The not-for-profit did not file or declare its accounts on June 4 2016, leading Companies House to move to dissolve Childline Andalucia on October 1 that year,” a spokesperson told the Olive Press. While the charity is still registered in Spain, the Junta told the Olive Press it only de-registers charities upon request, and that they are not required to declare earnings. Meanwhile, British councillor for Manilva Dean Tyler Shelton, a local charity president himself, said he had concerns about the charity from its outset. “She requested that we help with infrastructure for events and fundraising, but she always made requests through third parties and when we asked to see forecasts, projections and other charity-related documents, they just went quiet.”
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However, in a social media post last week, Bennett - who also goes by Tracey-Leigh Kent - claimed she was no longer able to ‘maintain the overhead costs’. “As you know we were greatly affected by the roadworks from November to February which left volunteers paying out of their own pockets to keep the shop afloat,” she wrote on her Facebook page last week. Oddly, she went on to claim that the ‘free 121 helpline’ would ‘continue to operate confidentially with our professional counsellors four hours per day, seven days a week.’
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