2013
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ONLY PAPER IN ANDALU CIA WITH LESS THAN RETURN the1% olive press - S January 10 - 23, The original and 2013 1 only English-lang uage investigative newsp aper in Andalucía Don’t let the Don’t thein bankslet cash banks cash in www.hifx.co.uk www.h see ifx.co. page 13 uk www.theolivep
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the olive press - January 9 2014 - January 22 201419 19 FREE
BBC doc slams rise deaths in Magaluf By Jon Clarke
Vol. 7 Issue 152
ress.es
R.I.P SIMON
A POPULA R British A BBC documenta ry has pat has died cradled exslammed the close friend’s arms in a authorities after Spanish a horrific Christma after fuelled tourism alcohols car crash. shocking rise ofled to a The early-morning from the ‘balconingdeaths tragedy ’ craze happened near Alcaucin By Frances Leate in Mallorca. on December 27 when The programm full of revellers spun his car “There was nothing vealed how the e renumber road during a night off the could do to save him.” we of incidents - which The man, who had The driver, Simonout. youngsters jump sees been out from hotel balconies was thrown throughDent, with Simon in Puente Don the Manuel before over a third to rose by windscree n and the around 40 in Magaluf last the spot, while twodied on added: “It is very crash, hard to year friends talk about alone. were rushed to hospital. what happened. “This has gone It’s still very painful.” The 34-year-o up from 25 to 30 in previous Enfield - who ld, from The friend - who had years ran the a passenger been and I personally Rendevous Restauran in a second know of 12 people who died Puente Don Manuel t in returning home from car in the the incidents” a paramedic his partner, Victoria with festive night out contin- was ued: “It’s told makers of The described as a ‘fun-lovin a very close comTruth about Magaluf. g’ munity popular man who lived life knew here and everyone to the full. him. “He Turn to Page 4 A close friend, who asked ing was a popular, fun-lovnot to be named, man who always lived said: life in high-spiri ts.
January 10 - 23,
EXCLUSIVE: Tribu tes pour in for popular expat after horror crash
A three-page news round-up
2013
seepage see page13 9
Business as usual for MEPs THE eurozone
crisis may have forced millions to cut back on luxuries in an effort to make ends meet. But MEPs certainly appear to be among don’t them after voting to retain their right to fly business rather than economy. class Despite the crisis, only four out of 41 Spanish agreed to downgrad MEPs e from their current allowance of €1,297 for business fares between Brussels class and Spain. Spanish airline Vueling Turn to Page 2
VIGIL: Candle-l it bar where Simon (inset) worked
From trouble on The Rock to What’s up croc? 2013 was a year of shocks Now you’re really getting my goat!
What will Maurice Boland be doing with a goat in 2013? Find out in our predictions year on Page 16 for the
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“He enjoyed with friends andsocialising and Ken Dent, have since good time, all the having a thanked friends for their time.” support. A 24-hour candlelit vigil was quickly set up at the restaurant with candles, ciSafety gars, flowers and On a Facebook Tributes to the letters. post they A CHILD was killed when restaurant said: “We he owner, whose funeral was would was everyone for like thank Kingsrun over by the Three at the weekend, parade in Malaga. your kind came in on messages, his Facebook page. The boy, love of support whichand offers one of the6, was crushed by Abbie-Grace Johnson floats has “Rest in peace Simon,said: a great comfort to us. been lected sweets fromas he colR.I.P The the road. will never be forgotten” you our darling Simon. May the tor, victim’s father, a docAngels keep you Adrian Lightfoot tried to revive safe till we added: “I meet again.” as the procession the child hope you can understan d More than 150 porarily halted. was temwhat I can’t put into family memwords. bers Malaga R.I.P my friend, and City I am sure his funeral.friends attended claimed Council we shall meet again the accident hapin the Spanish pened despite the future and have authorities are it grande now installing ing a safety team float havsimon style!” safety posts of 15 people at the junction in His mum and dad, the hope Theaccompanying it. Angela of making city announced it safer. two days of official mourning .
Three Kings tragedy
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By Claire Wilson
In a tough year for Spain, the Olive Press exposed conmen and fraudsters, and told the tragic tales of expats fighting to save their homes. It was also first for showbiz news from Kylie’s spa treatment to Brad and Angelina’s house hunt in Marbella
I
T was another eventful year for the Olive Press as it - once again - ran a rule over the Costa del Sol and Spain.
With exclusive after exclusive story - many picked up by the foreign press - we continued to grow both online and in print, ending the
January
R.I.P Simon
Kylie’s Spa Retreat
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and highlighted the continuing plight of the lynx. We also chatted to Dani Garcia about his new restaurant in New York, revealed how a UK songsmith had written a song about Alhaurin and how Maurice Boland’s radio station iTalk had come to a ‘temporary’ halt. Here, we break down our coverage over the 12 months of the year:
1
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INSULT
Vol. 7 Issue 154
Szekely in crisis Top expat agent in trouble owing €250,000 but insists she is not bankrupt
6, 2013 olive press - February 21- March theGuide - The Rough
The original and only English-language investigative newspaper in Andalucía
olive press
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posed the wheeling and dealing of celebrity food writer ‘Sir’ Nigel Goldman. Then there was the sad story of the terminally-ill reader who needed a lift back to England, the shenanigans in Gibraltar on the border and the mystery blaze at Big Blue Box in Estepona. On an environmental front we launched a campaign to help protect the Alcornocales Natural Park
The New Year began tragically as we covered the death of popular British expat Simon Dent following a horrific Christmas car crash. The 34-year-old ran the Rendezvous Restaurant in Puente Don Manuel, in the Axarquia, with partner Victoria.
In January we revealed how Kylie Minogue had taken a ‘secret’ Spanish Christmas break with boyfriend Andres Velencoso at a luxury spa in Alicante. We later reported how unlucky in love Kylie had split up with her Spanish beau.
Five years of pain
year with 35,000 copies distributed around Andalucia. As well as helping to get infamous costa conman Toni Muldoon banged up, we traced financial fraudster Terry Wright to an enormous chateau in France and ex-
www.theolivepress.es
February 21 - March 6,
Priors finally awarded ‘ridiculous’ €30,000 five compensation after spending years living in their garage since their home was demolished
EXCLUSIVE By Kathryn Richardson However, a court has now A RETIRED expat couple ruled that the original apwho have spent the last five plication, granted without THE Costa del Sol’s most years living in their garage their knowledge in 2004, famous expat estate agent is after their home was de- was illegal. in financial turmoil. molished have received “a The Priors only learnt about Kristina Szekely has filed ridiculous” €30,000 com- the plans to bulldoze their for the Spanish version of pensation bill from their home two years later in May bankruptcy and admitted town hall. she owes €250,000. 2006. Helen and Len Prior’s villa Their villa, one of around The Hungarian agent, who was ripped down by the Jun- 100 illegal homes in the has an exclusive deal with EMBATTLED: Szekely ta in January 2008 after their area, was the only one to be Sotheby International, told insists she will ride building licence was revoked. the Olive Press she intends out the storm with a to ‘battle on’ regardless. ‘number of big sales Currently in negotiation on the horizon’ with her creditors, she confirmed: “I have filed for in the 1980s and quickly what they call in America, dominated the coast’s real Chapter 11. estate industry. Bubbly and outgoing, she forged a global reputation Optimistic was frequently quoted “We owe €250,000, but I and the international press. am hopeful of getting out of in last week, she had ofit as we have some big sales Untilin Marbella, Gibraltar fices coming in. but has Sotogrande and is “The word bankruptcy struggling to pay her completely wrong, it hurts been and creditors for sevstaff the business. months. “There is a big difference eral week the office in Gibetween somebody going Last was chained shut bankrupt and our situa- braltar at 5pm. tion.” competitor, who BE She added: “We are also One to remain anonyWHICH TYPE OF BIRDS WILL selling apartments and I asked said Ms Szekely had FLOCKING DOWN TO THE COSTA think it is optimistic some- mous, overheads and how. I am keeping staff on.” enormous DEL SOL THIS SUMMER? find the next few The Hungarian agent ar- would very tough. Find out on page 12 rived on the Costa del Sol months
It had been a long five years since Len and Helen Prior had first told the Olive Press of their garage-dwelling plight following the demolition of their home in Vera. They were finally awarded compensation this year...a measly €30,000, and they once again spoke to us about their anguish and disappointment in the Spanish authorities before vowing to carry on the fight.
February
Water mistake Homeowners in Nerja demanded a refund after discovering they had been paying the electricity bill for a neighbouring development’s pool for over a decade. The community of 22 told the Olive Press they were due €7,000 in overpayments, but as yet the money was still outstanding.
INJUSTICE: Len and Helen Prior
tice. We aren’t happy about demolished. the insulting €30,000 offer They have since been sent but we are happy that it has from pillar to post to find been proved it was an illegal someone responsible for the order.” fiasco. She insisted she would need Mrs Prior told The Olive to get ‘€5m in damages’ to Press: “The whole thing is make up for the way they ridiculous. It’s a horror sto- have been treated. ry and just stupid because The couple’s main claim all of our neighbours were against Vera Council, for saved but us.” €700,000, is still ongoing. The couple have been forced Despite their living condito live in their converted ga- tions, and losing all trust in rage without electricity or Spain’s justice system, she running water. said they did not want to reTalking about the damages, turn to the UK. she added: “That’s not jus-
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press - February The original and 21- March 6, 2013 only English-langua 1 investigative ge newspaper in Andalucía Don’t let the Don’t thein bankslet cash banks in www.hicash fx.co.uk www.hi fx.co.uk www.theolivepres see page 13
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RAID ROW
WATERGATE: A DAD-of-two Barcenas with just claims PP broke weeks to live in for help to get is appealing WAR has broken UK to spend back to the out between the PP his last days party and its with his children. former treasurer Omar Rahmoun, after he accused bosses 54, has been given of orchestrating a Watergate-s days and six ‘between six tyle break-in at his months to live’ after being diagnosed EXCLUSIVE Police are now office. said: “I asked By with investigating an advanced Frances Leate the alleged burglary could do for him what I him and this The expat - form of cancer. at Luis Barcenas’s office was his last wish. who has been running a computer within the kidney – he is government’s “It’s all there unable to fly. shop PP party HQ. is left to do. Of in Zujar, near Now a close friend The man embroiled course I would Granada, for nine years - needs like there to in the an urgent appeal has made be a miracle national scandal, and see him get to Olive better to drive him home. someone Press readers ing a €38 million involvbut Due to his critical someone who to help find happen that’s not going to slush fund, claims offshore and so failing can drive him – he has a tumourcondition back to Nottingham that computers and that two his very last wish lungs and cancer in both is to spend personal his children Kamal, where his last days documents were in both as happy as he his pancreas, 20 and can HAPPIER TIMES: stolen in Malik, 11, live. the raid. intentines and be with his children Rahmoun with Friend Eric in his shop’s stock his family Skilton, 69, Britain.” and his cy travel Skilton is helping family is now Dismissal document, as him sell of getting himin the process passport has his He expired. an emergen- Omar, has since accused la sala a lawwho uses NOW OPEN yer to PP secretary the 20 hours a day oxygen for Dolores general because his de Cospedal, olive lungs have failed, of ordering the theft. press finds it difficult to talk The Along with Prime Minisily out of breath.and gets eas- ter We Mariano THE husband “We are hoping Rundding accused of Rajoy, she is planner who of a Marbella wedding ner taking illegal ive Press reader that an Ol- backhanders vanished with might know of euros in deposits thousands after a fraud probe by garda in cash from someone travelling officers. the fund based has been arrested It is believed detectives in Ireland. back towards the Nottingham in Switzerbegan investigating Danker’s land. Howard Danker, failed to organize. area. property “There must The PP, however Danker of Spanish married to Sue ter he fled Marbella with assets afOne hotel manager out there kindbe someone Barcenas insists revealed has been brought Dream Weddings, September last year. The his wife in enough to (top), that he had take him.” couple left ‘at least three’ this week in for questioning overnight owing the payments, who made due to take place weddings euros for dozens tens of thousands of an office in has not had The Olive Press last year at his hotel. of weddings that the If anyone can building since stepping reported (above) they help please contact Mr Skilton down as that treasurer 063 074 or email: on 958 Barcenas in 2010. Turn to page 2 email@ is also suing ericskilton.com the
Father makes death-bed pleaheartbreaking back to see his to help get him family in the UK
CLASSIFIED SALES
An expat made a heart-breaking deathbed appeal for a lift back to the UK after being given just weeks to live. Omar Rahmoun, 54, was too ill to fly and his last wish was to spend his final days at home in Nottingham with his children. He was inundated with offers from big-hearted readers following the appeal in the Olive Press and was reunited with his family, before dying days later. ‘Wedding Run ner’ husband Irish fraud inve in stigation
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AN A BRITISH ing Irish couple legal ened Marbella MP the frontier action are Gibraltar has allegedly weddingafter taklik‘war between their paying fled zone’. and Spain It came Spain planner suppliers. The to a House during without unhappy EXCLUSIVE planning of Commons bate an urgent By Mason owner to sue couple which on border pay Weddings of Spanish Sue are deJones Danker, reached have last month. again,for the delays, a week entire who “This up Dream understood recently Unable over before is an to six hours. ‘vanished’ wedding a third-world - who to contact The €15,000. EU border, the to total nuptials said show starred “This bride paid not war later bin, Labour - the The in Danker and company her any of the MP Jimzone,” revealed: slamming dry treatment couple Great Irish TV wedding.” left for depositsmoney on the left me Dobto foot Minister of were Escape The she added. Spain’s day high and I sent the enclave. the bills left vid of my I was for Europe not couple, Several to Lidington to be who again,” problem covered sage days named,have asked rect said Dawas pany’sappeared later, they only perityimpact having the businesswebsite on thea mesdislem had a when on both of on the a ‘diprobing’ husband stating comproscommunities Danker’s beforehad ‘ceased Dem sides’, en down phoned the MP the site Howard condemned tradSimonwhile Lib a completely. them was civilised with Hughes takthat ‘lame Spain’s excuse’ tude’. and well she was Sensitive FLED: tribal ‘unThe tend enough not Sue Wedding attithat Olive Press to at“I hadthe ceremony. just Danker to P18 other there before left planner rehearsalonly for full are can reveal couples, companies, had the Spain numerous before nifer story a be the big as well McCloy was company day owed and day Dream who money claim as bride.fine,” said she Planner. Spanishfrom Weddings.by Photographers, “I knew the to rival was The Spanish Wedding DJ’s up tolying but he cally organiser, that told florists my stress, to set has been who neck was them Dankerthe Olive Full and ironitime body up a I had in attempting story “I havefor their has not Press phone for nonsense rogue to keeprepresentative no writtenservices. paid ting Page “Only calls. “There’splanners, an the eye bella-based 3 money,”off ever later 10 minutes to how a lot continued: on “There’s this of speculation that it came is a one getDJ happened Marwho a long explained. she whichvery sensitive out hadn’t severalhave not list of and is bad industry.” couples been people 15 suppliers,” news subject,it Another paid, and Vear-Smyth,planner, for the addedat least contact JenKerry her with has been disappearance. Danker in since “She Turn
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EXCLUSIVE: Could Putin President have finally a good reason off...as to strip emerge claims has just that he a Marbella bought mansion?
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Catch me if you can Expats refused to shop a neighbour who defrauded UK banks of €350,000. Friends and drinking buddies of Tony Murphy (pictured left), 40, insisted he was ‘a hero’ following a Crimestoppers appeal for information published in the Olive Press.
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