A court in Vitoria (Álava) has sentenced a couple of squatters for looting and causing damage to the semi-detached house in which they lived illegally, to pay almost 59,000 euros and 18 months in prison.
As stated The Mailthe Court of Instruction number 2 of Vitoria considers it proven that the couple stole more than one hundred objects, some of them were valued at more than 50,000 eurosand damaged walls, furniture and the floorboards.
The events occurred in 2021. The couple, with four children, was affected by the crisis derived from the coronavirus pandemic. They lost their jobs and began to live as squatters in a chalet located in a town in Alava after not paying rent to the owner.
The curious thing is that the family turned to the media to spread their story and generated a torrent of solidarity. In fact, they managed delay its launch by three months.
When they finally had to leave the house, they decided toremove all types of items from the floor: a microwave, a dishwasher, a wardrobe, several shelves, cutlery, tables and chairs, beds…
Furthermore, upon departure caused damage worth 9,000 euros on walls, floors, furniture and electrical installation.
Once before the judge, the owner demanded a sentence of 34 months in prison for each one and pay a fine of 3,600 euros, in addition to compensation of 67,647 euros.
The parties reached an agreement and the squatters have been sentenced to 18 months in prison, without prison admissionplus a fine of 2,880 euros and compensation of 58,836 euros at a rate of 100 euros per month.
