Two nuns were left over €1,000 out of pocket after two men allegedly fled their guesthouse without paying. The nuns, Discalced Franciscan Poor Clare sisters of the Convent of La Purisima Concepcion, run the business in the village of Marchena, south east of the Spanish city of Seville.
Guests vanish without settling bill
According to reports, two men checked into the venue, situated next to the Church of Santa Maria, on Wednesday September 2nd, before leaving a week later. The bill was due to be paid just before the end of their stay on Monday, September 7th.
However, the two men, who claimed they worked for a company based in the Vega del Guadalquivir region, a claim later found to be false, were nowhere to be found. The nuns went upstairs the next day to find the room empty of both the men and their belongings.
Keys and belongings taken
Furthermore, it has also been alleged that as well as taking their own belongings, the two men took the keys to their room, and the keys to the entrance gate and main door.
According to the nuns, the two men, who were staying at the guesthouse for the first time, had paid for a room as well as dinner and lunch, costing them €913 plus 10 percent VAT, bringing their total to €1,004.30 (£861.89).
Police called and CCTV reviewed
Following the occurrence, the religious community reported the incident to the local police in a bid to find the men. It has since been reported that the guesthouse where the two men stayed had CCTV fitted, and it shows them in the area at 11.30am on the Monday.
In a further twist, a quick search of the company they claimed to work for revealed it was actually located in Almeria. ABC Sevilla reported that the two men had given the nuns their supervisor's contact details, whom they claimed would not only settle the bill, but also stay at the guesthouse for two nights.
Supervisor hangs up on convent
Attempting to get the bill paid, the convent's superior, Sister Susana, called the number, but said the man hung up when he realised it was the convent calling about the bill. As a result, they have not received any form of response.
The venue the nuns run is not a large business, and helps to serve a low income community. The pair also produce Christmas carol albums and prepare takeaway food whilst trying to maintain their life at the venue.
On the website for the Santa Maria Inn, the 13 rooms are described as being “comfortable” and suitable places “for rest, prayer, and study”. Furthermore, alongside the air-conditioned rooms, there is a “multi-purpose hall available for various cultural events with a capacity of 80 people” and “a dining room”.
