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Olive Press MADRID, BARCELONA, VALENCIA & ANDALUCÍA
WHAT’S THE POINT? First bullrun death of 2026 sparks debate about Spain’s festivals See page 6 & 7
#487 MARCH 2026 STAYING ALIVE
MYSTERY SOLVED
Spain’s most famous architect is linked to these two key buildings 100 years since his death
How Spain’s football doctor gets his team World Cup ready
Inside our 16-page PROPERTY magazine
See page 39
Shepherd ruined my Spanish dream m HE had fallen in love with Spain when an overnight stay in 1970 led to a year living in a classic white village. But when Australian architect Robert Marshall, 80, decided to retire here half a century later, things took a distinct turn for the worse. Indeed, his move to idyllic Jimena de la Frontera, in Andalucia has
turned into a ‘three-year nightmare’ after a squatter took control of his home, forcing him to hire a bodyguard. It came after a local goatherd agreed to pay him €20,000 a year to farm a third of his stunning 64-acre estate, El Polvorin (left). Bought for €1 million in 2022, Marshall, from Melbourne, had initially got on well with Juan Ruiz, 38, who
set up a milking operation for his goats in a shed attached to the farmhouse. But soon the charismatic Spaniard took con-
tional Inter na All UK & stems TV sy Sound CCTV - n is & V io net G Inter ptic & 4 O r e ib F
EXCLUSIVE: Architect’s €1 million retirement farm seized by goatherd squatter in a threeyear ‘legal nightmare’ By Maeve Gorman
trol of the es& Karissa Key tate and a year later claimed the property as his own and pad- When Marshall relocked all the doors and gates. moved some video After legal action a court ordered cameras overlook- SCARED: Marshall has had to hire a bodyguard to protect him from the squatter Ruiz to remove the locks, but the ing his patio and intimidation did not stop there. bedroom, he was accused of theft Marshall added. “I have not had “He filmed me wherever I went and eventually found guilty in a single cent from him and have and spat at me whenever I ap- court. spent over €25,000 in legal fees to proached,” Marshall, who was Incredibly, while a different judge get him out.” also a councillor for 20 years, told eventually ordered the Guardia It is little wonder the architect the Olive Press. Civil to disconnect the squatter’s who designed dozens of schools “Next he ransacked my belong- electricity, he immediately recon- and churches - spent six days reings, stole my car and filed police nected it. cently in hospital for stress and is complaints against anyone who Under Spanish squatter laws, taking anxiety medication. came near the farm,” he contin- until he’s been evicted Marshall While Marshall has finally won a ued. must continue paying his elec- court case against Ruiz he must Things got so heated, the expat tricity bill so he can continue wait another six months before was forced to buy a small home in his goat milk business. “That is getting an order to have him evictthe nearby village and even ‘hired around €400 a month, on top of ed. “I have no idea when this nighta bodyguard to protect’ himself. the hundreds I pay for water,” mare is going to end,” he said.
952 763 840 635 400 099 info@theskydoctor.com www.theskydoctor.com
Altea Calpe Denia Jalon Javea Moraira
YOUR REAL ESTATE AGENCY FOR BENISSA, CALPE, MORAIRA
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