Our dream home turned out to be a nightmare – it was like a tornado had shredded the place
A COUPLE'S dream home purchase became a nightmare after finding the place gutted when they moved in - sparking nine years of legal battles.
Martin Caton and wife Sarah splashed out on their £1.5million Cornish mansion and have been locked in a housing fight ever since.
The pair bought the historic Grade II listed manor in 2014, and were ready to enjoy its luxury, only to have their hopes shattered when they turned up.
The devastated couple found that the entire house had been stripped bare, including wood paneling, fireplaces, and even an entire staircase.
The Catons picked up that something was off when Dr Mark Payne stopped speaking to them and blocked them from seeing the property.
But their worst fears were soon confirmed.
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Martin, a vet and entrepreneur, told : "I was distraught.
"It was like a warzone or like a tornado had shredded the place. He took pretty much every door handle, tiles off the wall, the locks were removed."
He added: "I wanted to close the door, walk away and put it back on the market and never come back."
The couple had hoped to use the 10-bed manor, which dated back to the Norman conquest, as a wedding venue.
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They also dreamed of creating 13 holiday lets in the cottages on the estate.
But, when they saw what had been done to the house, they went to Cornwall Council and the police.
Sellers are banned from gutting a building of its fittings and fixtures, including items like stained glass windows - which were also removed.
They also need extra permission from the council if they want to remove fixtures from listed buildings.
Payne was arrested in 2015 on suspicion of theft, criminal damage and offences within the Planning Act.
He was later released without charge as the council decided they would not be able to prove that the doctor caused the damage.
The Catons responded by showing Cornwall Councill old photos of the property, showing how much had been taken or destroyed.
Martin said: "There was some very random and bizarre destruction.
I wanted to close the door, walk away and put it back on the market and never come back.
Martin Caton
"I don't understand the mentality behind it – it's staggering that you can be that cruel actually."
Despite being shown "ample evidence" to prosecute, the council still refused.
The Catons said they were amazed, adding: "It's odd that if we were to change a small window without permission they will come after you, but if you destroy a house you are allowed to drive away with no consequences".
When Payne was arrested, police seized a small number of items from the home.
However, for the Catons to get them back they had to undertake another hearing.
Only in March, after nine drawn-out years of legal battles, have Catons managed to get the pieces back.
At the latest hearing, in the Truro Magistrate's Court, Payne failed to show or supply any evidence.
He is appealing the ruling against him, arguing that as he lives in Cumbria, the 1000-mile round trip was "inconvenient".
He also added: "Had I committed any criminal damage, had I committed any theft, had I committed any offenses under the Planning Act, I would have been prosecuted.
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"Otherwise, everything is just hearsay, innuendo and suspicion."
The Sun has contacted the council and police on the matter.
