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14. 07. 12. - 15:00

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14. 07. 12. - 15:00

Brit Ex-Pat OAP Held Prisoner by Landlord

Kathryn Quinn

A frail British ex-pat has become a prisoner in his home in Poland after his landlord locked him in and put security guards on the front door.

John Hadman, 73 had been renting the apartment in Krakow for eight years before it was bought in January by a new landlord who quickly forced out all his neighbours.

Now Mr Hadman is clinging on after a series of attempts to drive him out too.

After he refused to leave, all power and water supplies to his apartment were cut and then thugs were hired to pour acid through the roof.

Now the terrified OAP is unable to leave his home after the locks were changed to keep him in and thugs placed on the steps, who told him they were there to "guard" the property.

Neighbour Beata Sawicka explained: "It's shocking. The new owner has forced out everyone in the property.

"Now there’s only John left. I have been helping him with food and water.

"But he’s been living there with no heating."

Now Mr Hadman’s lawyer, Malgorzata Tokarska, says she is asking judges for a restraining order to force the landlord to stop.

"My client is being hounded, persecuted and bullied. He has the right to be in this building until 2014. This is a complete violation of his human rights.

"He has paid all his rent and does not owe anything," she said.

One friend identified in local media only as Andrea added: "This is just too much for him. Being locked in is insane.

"What if he has a heart attack? How is he supposed to get food?"

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