Brit traveller family ‘holding Worcestershire villages to ransom with six-figure demands to move on’ since after deported from New Zealand
A TRAVELLER family deported from New Zealand are reportedly holding villages to ransom after buying land then demanding huge sums to sell it and leave them in peace.
The Doran clan caused chaos during their stay Down Under - allegedly refusing to pay for meals, dumping vast amounts of rubbish on the beach and allegedly threatening locals.
One of the family's children was filmed threatening to “knock the brains out” of locals who challenged their behaviour during a week-long trail of chaos.
Now residents in two historic villages say they are allegedly being held to ransom by them.
The Dorans first paid £9,000 for a tennis court-size piece of land in the village Dough Bank, in Worcestershire, and then reportedly demanded more than £600,000 to return it and leave.
After buying the plot more than 20 members of the family moved caravans, 4x4s and building machinery on to the site, often blocking the narrow lanes, the Mail on Sunday reports.
Patrick Doran posted letters through the doors of the 22 households warning them he would sell the land to another member of the traveller community if they failed to pay.
“Family members would take it in turns to urinate, or worse, in people's driveways,” said one Dough Bank resident.
'BLACKMAIL'
“They turned their site, which was once beautiful, unspoilt woodland, into an eyesore.
“They built 10ft high breeze block walls, which the council made them take down, and dumped hundreds of tons of rubble in heaps everywhere.”
Eight miles away, the Dorans bought a quarter- acre plot in Astley Burf for just £12,000 from an elderly couple.
Five weeks ago Lawrence Doran told residents he intended to build a five-bed house on it, even though locals believe it is highly unlikely the local council will give planning permission.
Locals allege the Dorans have been lighting huge bonfires on the plot, throwing in aerosol canisters that explode, and in recent weeks scratches have appeared on cars.
Lawrence Doran has told residents he would be happy to leave Astley Burf if they bought the land back for around £100,000.
"If the Dorans stay, they'll wipe £100,000 in value off a £500,000 property here, so we've got no option but to give in to what amounts to blackmail," said one villager.
"They've got us over a barrel and they know it."
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Patrick Doran, however, said that “we bought these plots in good faith” and everything has been done legally.
He added: “I just want to build a home for my family. What's wrong with that? Everything has been done legally, fair and square
“We're being discriminated against because we're from the travelling community. People treat us like animals.”
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