A BRITISH couple were left stunned after returning to their Menorca holiday home to discover it had been occupied by squatters – and were told by police to spend the night in a hotel.
The pair, from Kent, arrived at their villa near Mahon on Monday after three months away to find furniture had been moved and a new alarm system had been installed without their knowledge.
The two alleged squatters, a Spanish father and son aged 55 and 25, have since been arrested and the villa returned to its owners – but not before the couple was temporarily barred from sleeping in their own home.
According to media reports, the property was initially empty when the owners arrived.
However, tensions later erupted when the alleged squatters returned, triggering a heated confrontation in which both sides accused each other of assault.
Police attended the scene and initially allowed the two men to remain after they produced documents suggesting they had been living at the address for some time.
Despite presenting proof of ownership, the British couple were reportedly instructed to leave their own villa overnight and take accommodation in a nearby hotel while officers reviewed the claims.
The following day, the couple’s solicitor arrived with Land Registry documents and further evidence confirming legal ownership, prompting police to reassess the situation and accept a formal complaint.
Officers then arrested both men on suspicion of illegal occupation and alleged theft, ending their temporary stay inside the disputed property.
The couple were finally able to return to their home on Tuesday, regaining possession while court proceedings begin and authorities continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the occupation.
The alleged squatters’ belongings were placed outside the villa, where they are expected to remain until a judge determines their removal.
Click here to read more Menorca News from The Olive Press.
