Squatter at London's The Cricketers Wins Harassment Damages Against Landlord A squatter at London's The Cricketers music venue has won harassment damages after the landlord began demolishing the building as he slept, a court has ruled. Nicola Saia, a squatter living in a flat inside the legendary London music venue The Cricketers in Oval, Kennington, has won thousands of pounds in damages after the building's owner began demolishing the structure while he was asleep inside. The ruling was delivered by Recorder Tom Shepherd at London County Court, following a dispute with owner Ravinder Laly and his property company RSL Slough Ltd. Background of The Cricketers VenueThe Cricketers, built in the 1860s, was a famed music venue that hosted high-profile acts including The Pogues, Happy Mondays and Fairport Convention before it was converted into flats. Mr Saia had formerly stayed in a flat inside the building with permission as a property guardian. By July 2023, he was living there as a squatter after the council deemed him homeless, and he was due to move into temporary accommodation on July 29, 2023.Harassment and Demolition IncidentMr Saia told the court that from July 3, 2023, onwards, Mr Laly repeatedly threatened that the roof would come down if he did not leave. At around 9am on July 18, 2023, Mr Saia was woken by loud banging and later found debris falling through a hole in his living room ceiling. He claimed that Mr Laly was present with builders and that a hole had been made through the roof and ceiling of the living room, bathroom and one of the bedrooms.Mr Saia sued Mr Laly and RSL Slough Ltd for harassment and unlawful eviction, claiming he suffered shock, stress, anxiety and inconvenience, and demanded up to £60,000 in compensation. Mr Laly denied any acts of harassment or unlawful eviction, disputing that Mr Saia was legally a tenant of the property or the company at the time.Court Ruling and Damages AwardRecorder Tom Shepherd found that the landlord harassed Mr Saia by following through on earlier threats to remove the roof over his head. He also concluded that Mr Laly harassed Mr Saia by briefly cutting off water to his flat. However, he dismissed claims that Mr Laly harassed the squatter by cutting off the WiFi and trapping him in the property by boarding it up.The judge found that Mr Saia was not a legal flat tenant and thus there was no breach of the Protection from Eviction Act, under which the bulk of his damages claim was made. He accepted Mr Saia's evidence that he was asleep and that agents instructed by Mr Laly turned up and started removing the roof while knowing he was still inside. Although Mr Saia was legally trespassing, the judge described Mr Laly's decision to try and take down the roof as calculated and oppressive, stating that the landlord could have pursued other options such as erecting fences or barricades, or going to court for a possession order.The judge said the imminence of the threats to demolish stepped over the line. Kevin Brown, representing Mr Saia, said Mr Laly had sent a message stating that the roof would be coming off and that demolition would start. Ben Leb, representing Mr Laly and his firm, said they had a licence to enter the property as they did. Mr Laly also tried to counter-sue Mr Saia for trespassing. The judge found that Mr Saia was technically a trespasser but rejected claims for alleged damage done by Mr Saia, awarding nominal compensation of just £1. Mr Saia was awarded £2,000 in damages under his harassment claim.Aftermath and Full DemolitionThe Cricketers was fully demolished in 2024. The case highlights the legal boundaries of landlord actions against squatters and the protections against harassment even when occupancy is unlawful. Mr Saia remains traumatised by the incident, according to his legal representative.