Holidaymaker locked up in Greek cell ... for using a metal detector
A Hull metal detector enthusiast's holiday was ruined when he found himself on the wrong side of the law in Greece.
Paul Douglas, 43, of Edgeware Lane, east Hull, was on a family holiday in Stalis, a resort on the Greek island of Crete, on July 23.
-
Holiday from hell: Paul Douglas.
Four days into his stay he went on a hunt for Euro coins on nearby Malia beach.
But armed Greek police arrested him on the manmade beach and took him to a police station in nearby Hersonissos.
He appeared at court in Heraklion, 27 miles from the resort where his family were staying, on the same day where he was fined 85 Euros and given a 20 days' prison sentence suspended for three years.
His £120 metal detector was also seized.
Mr Douglas was reunited with his family more than 13 hours after the ordeal which cost him £200.
He said: "I went to Malia expecting a holiday in paradise but it turned out to be hell.
"The next time I want to go metal detecting, it will be in Bridlington."
* See tomorrow's Mail for more on this story
13 Comments
View all
by Hollow Golightly, Supper at Tiffany's
Thursday, August 12 2010, 11:59PM
“*pesky. Apologies.”
by Hollow Golightly, Supper at Tiffany's
Thursday, August 12 2010, 11:58PM
“If he goes to Bridlington beach he better watch out for those psky "tombstoners"”
by Magoo, East Yorkshire
Thursday, August 12 2010, 8:45PM
“"The next time I want to go metal detecting, it will be in Bridlington."
Can you detect an Elizabeth Duke ear ring with a metal detector?”
by winegumdaze, middlesbrough
Thursday, August 12 2010, 7:01PM
“ok what was the cell door made of ?steel right....the throne you sat on after your ar.. went after your arrest ?not gold but tinny sound and smelly/? i detect you wont be going back there in a hurry...have you a spare detector to carry on with your hobby ? thought so”
by Bob Carver's Pattie Gang, Walton Street, Hull Fair
Thursday, August 12 2010, 6:30PM
“Searching for Euros? Yeah right.
What is it with middle aged idiots getting in trouble abroad?”
by Dean, at home
Thursday, August 12 2010, 5:56PM
“I thought everyone knew about the Greeks' laws on this kind of thing, scuba gear is banned for the same reason. Surely a metal detector "enthusiast" would know about these laws?
HDM sensationalising a complete non story - surely not?”
by stig, the dump
Thursday, August 12 2010, 5:30PM
“d**khead”
by George 2, Hull
Thursday, August 12 2010, 5:06PM
“Goes on a holiday to a Greek Island & takes his metal detetctor ?
What a geek !”
by simon, away
Thursday, August 12 2010, 5:00PM
“Quality , what did he expect?
But then again he is from East Hull so that explains alot.”
by Feta Cheese, Malia
Thursday, August 12 2010, 4:35PM
“It serves you right you pleb the only person that ruined your holiday was you,if I was your wife I would of kicked your Ar$e for ruining my holiday,you are better off in brid mate.”