A 44-year-old British tourist was taken into custody after an incident at a Benidorm beach where he allegedly tried to drown a woman and assaulted a young boy. The man, who was staying at a hotel in the Costa Blanca resort, is currently undergoing psychiatric evaluation at a hospital.
Authorities arrested him on charges of attempted murder, causing bodily harm, and making threats following the disturbance at Poniente Beach, the largest beach in Benidorm. The suspect reportedly targeted a 34-year-old Norwegian woman in the water with her partner, attempting to drown her.
After the beach incident, he moved to the shore and grabbed a five-year-old Spanish boy by the neck, allegedly trying to suffocate him. The child’s mother and other beach visitors intervened, while a lifeguard restrained the British man until police arrived.
Reports indicate that the suspect is receiving medical care at Villajoyosa Hospital and is under police supervision for a mental health assessment. He was later transferred to the National Police before being hospitalized.
Neither police force involved has released an official statement about the altercation that took place on a Tuesday afternoon.