A British couple’s dream of owning a beautiful mansion turned into a nightmare when they discovered its decrepit state. Martin and Sarah Caton purchased the property in the UK for £1.5 million (approximately Rs 16 crore) in 2014, only to find it was transformed into a “war zone”, with its most valuable assets missing.
The original property was a Grade II*-listed Bochym Manor, featuring a Jacobean oak staircase, walnut-panelled library and historic stained-glass windows among other notable aspects. The previous owner Dr Mark Payne, had allegedly removed essential features from the estate like doors, windows, fireplaces, plumbing and electrics before moving out. Reports indicated that three out of four bathrooms had vanished, along with stunning stained glass windows and library panels.
The devastation didn’t stop there, as more important structures, like a staircase from the estate’s clock tower, were also dismantled. The Catons spent nine long years fighting for justice and they recently secured a court order to reclaim stolen items. Speaking to The Daily Mail, Sarah Caton said, “I was distraught.
It was like a warzone or like a tornado had shredded the place. He took pretty much every door handle, tile off the wall, the locks were removed. There was some very random and bizarre destruction.
I don’t understand the mentality behind it – it’s staggering that you can be that cruel actually.” Reportedly, before receiving the key to their new property, the cou.