Squatter wins damages payout after London venue owner demolished building while he slept inside

Nicola Saia, who had been living in a flat at The Cricketers music venue in Kennington, woke to debris falling through his ceiling at 9am in July 2023. Owner Ravinder Laly had repeatedly threatened the roof would come down if Saia refused to leave — and finally made good on that threat. Central London County Court found Laly guilty of harassment and awarded Saia a damages payout, though the judge rejected several of his other claims.

The Cricketers at the Oval was a legendary music venue that once hosted The Pogues, Happy Mondays and reggae pioneer Desmond Dekker.

Saia had initially been authorised to occupy the condemned building as a property guardian, though his status later became disputed.

The judge dismissed claims over WiFi being cut off and found Saia was not a legal tenant, limiting the size of his payout from the £60,000 he demanded.