British man fights Spanish ex-wife over ‘dadnapping’

EXCLUSIVE: By Rob Horgan

AN expat is locked in a legal battle with his Spanish ex-wife over his mentally-ill father.

Caterer David Terry has flown over from England to demand Dolores ‘Lola’ Manzanares releases his father from her care.

He claims his 87-year-old dad, Dennis Terry, is being treated like a ‘prisoner’, while Manzanares is spending all of his money.

He has now filed an official police denuncia in Antequera in a desperate bid to return his father to England.

“She took my father out of spite. We had a messy divorce and she believes I should pay the price, it is as simple as that,” said Terry, 51, from Portsmouth.

“She has sold his flat in Antequera and I have no idea where the money has gone. I hope the police can help.”

Manzanares, 48, however claims that banqueting manager Terry is ‘bitter’, ‘bankrupt’ and has ‘only ever been after his father’s money’.

She became Dennis Terry’s legal representative in 2011, taking over his power of attorney, as his state of mind deteriorated.

She added that all of the money from the sale of his property went into his own bank account.

However, in a letter sent to his son in October, this year, Dennis – who has dementia – claims he is penniless.

He wrote: “I don’t know how on earth I can see you again, as I have no money.

“I have no bank account in my name, my pension goes straight to her and I don’t see how I will ever get any of it back.”

Claiming to be ‘writing on his knees in the middle of the night’, the letter was delivered by a British friend, Irene Cleall, who was renting a room at Manzanares’ property.

However, according to Manzanares the letter was concocted in a deal between Cleall and son David.

“The letter is a complete sham,” she told the Olive Press. “Dennis told me the lady forced him to write the letter.”

She continued: “David abandoned his father for years. When he was still of sound mind in 2012, he stood up in court in Benalmadena and said he loved his son very much but he wanted to stay with me.”

In the same hearing he submitted a ‘statement of wishes’, seen by the Olive Press, in which he declared that he wanted to continue living with her.

He added that he had ‘no intention of returning to the UK or living in a care home’.

While his son now insists his wishes have changed, Manzanares – who works as a court interpreter for British expats – claims David is trying to ‘tarnish her reputation’.

“He is simply hoping to pay off his own debts with his father’s cash,” she said.

Dennis’ carer, Iain Treptow, meanwhile told the Olive Press that Dennis is ‘well and happy’ living with Manzanares.

He said: “Dennis has never stopped caring about his son, he still loves him very much but he is happy living where he is and I see no reason why that should change.”