Sir Geoff Hurst wins action over Spanish apartments

Sir Geoff Hurst has won a High Court action over a “completely valueless” investment in Spanish apartments. Keith J ruled in favour of Sir Geoff and five other people in their deceit claim against businessman Mark Cordner. The court heard that, in 2003 and 2004, Cordner persuaded the group to buy apartments in the development at Aloha Royal, near Puerto Banus, Marbella, and to pay the entire purchase price before the apartments were built. However, since then, they claimed, their rights have been either destroyed or rendered “completely valueless”. Cordner claimed that “the real villain of the piece” was the first defendant, Michael Hone, whose whereabouts are unknown. He argued that he is as much a victim of Hone’s allegedly fraudulent behaviour as the claimants because he was conned into buying properties in Spain. Ruling that Cordner was liable to the six investors, the judge said “They thought that they would be getting a good return on their investment.   In fact, they got nothing because the developer to whom they paid the purchase price was not in a position to convey good title to the apartments.”  The amount of damages payable will be assessed at a later date. Hurst and others v Hone and others Queen’s Bench Division (Keith J) 27 May 2010. Peter Knox QC and Robert Strang (instructed by DMH Stallard) appeared for the claimants; Michael Jefferis and Anne Fairpo (instructed by Judge Sykes Frixou) appeared for the second and seventh defendants