Eleven families from Attard are likely to spend Christmas trying to save their homes after a court decided they must be demolished within six months.

“I don’t know what to do... I’m half expecting a bunch of trucks to show up and start demolishing everything,” says Jimmy (James) Fsadni, a 63-year-old resident of Triq Dun Mikiel Xerri.

The Civil Court on Wednesday ruled on a case dating back to 1985 against Lay Lay Company Limited, finding that the company had usurped 446 square metres of land belonging to the late Francis Manduca, in the area known as Ta’ Rmiedi, and erected buildings on it.

Following the advice of the court-appointed architect, Judge Silvio Meli ruled that Mr Manduca’s property, now belonging to heirs Joseph and Alfred Manduca, had been invaded by the company, which should therefore pay for the demolition. The court also found that three of the 11 owners, including Mr Fsadni, were responsible for usurping the land.

Mr Fsadni insists he bought the property in good faith and if there was something illegal in the deal, it should have been flagged up by the notary. But his lawyer has told him action can only be taken against the company that sold him the property.

“I didn’t need this. I’m going to have to enter into legal expenses and at the end of the day, what can I expect to gain? It’s always the little guy who has to pay,” he told The Times.

Mr Fsadni says he bought the plot for some Lm3,000 (€7,000) around 30 years ago and has lived in it since with his family.

“I knew about this case,” he says, pointing out that the 11 owners were called into the suit in 1987. “But I thought the worst case scenario was for the company to be fined, to compensate the original owner. I didn’t think we would have to bear the brunt with our homes being demolished. I don’t think this has ever happened in Malta before!”

Although still in shock, the residents are now expected to group together and file an appeal, which they must do within a 20-day period, starting on November 28. Another resident who spoke to The Times, but did not give her name, said she knew very little about the case because her husband had bought the property. Her children had informed her about the judgment.

“This happened so long ago I did not think much of it... I thought it had ended. Now I have to speak to my lawyer to see what is going to happen. I don’t think they are just going to demolish my home,” she said.

The land in question is a diagonal section that stretches through 11 homes, starting from a large bungalow at the corner of the street to several front gardens at the other end.

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