Mr Grumpy

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By Mr Grumpy - Sun 19th May 2013

 

A report in Saturday's edition of the Telegraph – titled ” Costa Del Crime: Marbella is 'synonymous with villainy' “ has only exacerbated the largely unfounded stereotype that 50% of all Expat Brits are on the run from some criminal investigation in the UK.

What's More, if the Daily Mail is to be believed, the other 50% are benefit-defrauding, Winter Fuel-Allowance claiming, work-shy turncoats.

The report names Marbella as being a hotspot for Crime lords hiding out from the UK authorities, naming Spain's lax extradition laws with the UK (which ended in 1985) as being the main reason behind this.

A second report in the same edition of the same newspaper, notes that Spain was "once a land of Ferraris, Cocaine and Women". Not being an investigative journalist I am clearly on dodgy ground making such a statement, but I will stick my neck out here and say that Spain still has all three of those things. My credit card statement alone can confirm the later.

And, if I were the pedantic type (which I am) I would question why the Journo felt the need to add the words "In Calpe" behind his name - especially when writing about the subject of Crime in Marbella - which is located just down the road at 500km away.

What is perhaps most notable on the report is when the journo quotes some "Poacher Turned Gamekeeper" Ex-con who is now a Lawyer as claiming that "A lot of Lawyers here aren't good at acting for foreign criminals" and that "when Brits get arrested they need somebody like me".

Aside from being a shameless attempt to attain some free publicity from the rag my only thoughts are this : If I wanted to commit a crime I would ask a criminal, if I wanted help with the law I would ask a Lawyer. If I wanted help in breaking the law and being apprehended by the Police and then tried in court, I would ask a Poacher-turned Gamekeeper.

Better still, I would do my utmost not to break the law in the first place.

Now I have attempted to bust the stereotype I'm off to rob a Bank in my Ferrari (and will then claim my Winter Fuel Allowance).

Recommended Reading

• Mr Grumpy : Why is Spain Rotten to the Core with British Criminals ?

• Mr Grumpy : How NOT to get stopped at gunpoint by the Guardia

• Telegraph : Costa del Crime : Why Marbella in Synonymous with villainy

• Telegraph : Why Spain's Costa del Crime is now the worst place to go on the run