A COUPLE were accused of causing £1,000-worth of damage to their rented holiday villa within hours of landing back in the UK.

Nick and Nikki Copson said they have been bombarded with abusive emails and messages claiming they had flooded the bathroom, broken the couch, ripped a shelf and kitchen blind down, broken a wine glass and stained towels and bathmats during their break to Lanzarote.

The couple, from Woodland, near Barnard Castle, rented a villa through HomeAway Holiday Rentals from Brian and Lesley McHarg and flew out on June 21.

They said they left a five star review on the questionnaire provided in the villa but stated the Wi-Fi did not work and they were disappointed by incessant dog barking nearby, which they say ruined the tranquillity of the location.

The couple said they “made the best of the situation” and spent most of their time away from the villa.

Mr McHarg denies ever calling the couple and called them “the family from hell”.

Mrs Copson, a civil servant, took pictures of the villa as proof they had left it in a reasonable state before catching their late flight.

When the family landed back in the UK in the early hours of the next day, they started receiving several emails saying they had caused more than £1,000 worth of damage to the property.

Mr Copson said: “An email came through and said ‘Thanks for your five star review; however, you have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage’ and we were just like ‘what?’”

In emails seen by The Northern Echo, the couple were accused of flooding the bathroom, breaking the couch, ripping a shelf off the wall and a kitchen blind down, breaking a wine glass and staining towels and bathmats among other things.

Mr Copson, a chef, said: “We were non-stop bombarded with emails saying we were trying to blackmail him, but he did not know we had evidence.”

Mr McHarg also made a YouTube video condemning the family while sharing their home co-ordinates across their sites.

One email from Mr McHarg said: “You were such nasty destructive people…your damage now exceeds £1,000….your coordinates have been extensively circulated to exactly 1,264 other property owners/managers in both these islands.”

Another described Mr Copson as “an aggressive, obese, lying, destructive, threatening and devious person” adding that “we hope you lose your job, you deserve that, you disgusting obese person.

“You had no idea what you were taking on when you crossed us.

“We are still looking further. Google has given us your home, even a photo of the street and the front. Not through with you by a long way.”

It was then that the couple contacted the police and despite a warning call from a policeman Mr McHarg continued with his emails.

The couple also recorded a phone call they say is from Mr McHarg where a man can be heard threatening them.

Mr McHarg denies ever calling the couple and said he believed the policeman from Durham Constabulary was “fake”.

He said: “These are ignorant and most unpleasant people.

“We have given hundreds of holidaymakers wonderful holidays here in Lanzarote at our properties for 12 years since retiring here.

“Every single review has been five star. We have endless repeat guests and have met some wonderful people. This was the exception. Truly the family from hell.”

A Durham Police spokeswoman confirmed they had contacted Mr McHarg about the Copson’s complaint.

She said: “We are aware of an ongoing civil dispute and advice has been given.”

The couple contacted the booking website but say they were told they could not help as they had not booked it correctly.

No response had been received from the website by the time The Northern Echo went to print.