Portuguese shepherd short-changed in goats-for-wife deal

LISBON (AFP) - A Portuguese shepherd took up arms in despair after he bartered 15 goats and 2,500 euros (3,000 dollars) in exchange for a young new wife, who never turned up, a newspaper reported.

Diamantino, 49, from Vila Real in northern Portugal, had struck a deal with a man who promised to supply him with a 22-year-old wife in exchange for the livestock and cash, the Jornal de Noticias reported.

But the months dragged on with no sign of the promised spouse until the lovelorn shepherd snapped, taking up arms and barricading himself inside a garage on Friday, demanding either a wife or his money back.

Police stepped in and finally persuaded Diamantino to lay down his weapons. He was detained for a few hours and is due to appear in court in the coming days.

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