A COUPLE are suing a North- East businessman for £84,800 over a dispute surrounding two Turkish holiday homes.

Peter and Lynda Thornton have instructed a Turkish lawyer to file a civil case against Robert Alexander Douglas, known as Sandy, and his wife, Michelle, who own development company Ado Properties.

Mr and Mrs Thornton, who are from Darlington, say they paid Ado Properties £72,000 for two apartments in Didim, on south-west Turkey’s Aegean coast, and are taking legal action to get their money back because the title deeds are in the possession of another Turkish company.

Mr Douglas told The Northern Echo he also intends to bring legal action against the landowners, who he claims did not fulfil the contract, in the hope of getting money returned to himself and customers, including the Thorntons.

Mr and Mrs Thornton, who are both retired, said they bought the properties in July 2008, paying for them in full by August 2008.

Although the development is complete, the couple say they have never been given the title deeds.

They have instructed Turkish solicitor Hilal House to make a civil case to get their £72,000 back, plus £12,800 for projected rental income and money Mr and Mrs Thornton spent on furniture, which they say Ado Properties agreed to pay for.

The Thorntons’ legal fees are expected to total £15,000, which they will not be able to recover.

Mrs Thornton, a 53-year-old retired civil servant, said: “After careful consideration, we have made the decision to take legal action. We have instructed a Turkish solicitor and proceedings are under way.”

Mrs House, who is acting for the Thorntons, confirmed she had started legal proceedings against Mr and Mrs Douglas and Ado Properties.

“The court papers were filed last week,” she told The Northern Echo. She added that the case may take several months to be heard.

Mr Douglas, 49, who is formerly of Darlington but now lives in Turkey, has previously owned several businesses in the town, including Shop 24, which operated round-theclock vending machines, and Douglas News, in Duke Street, Darlington.

Speaking from Turkey, he told The Northern Echo last night his Turkish business partner had died and his other business partners had left the company, but he had remained to try to honour Ado Properties’ contracts.

“It is a very complex situation,”

he said. “I am starting legal action against the landowner.”

He warned others to take care if investing in Turkey.

“It is a dangerous place to do business,” he said. “There are some very sharp practices here and the legal system is very different.”