A British tourist was taken into custody after allegedly trying to drown a stranger at a Benidorm beach and later assaulting a young boy. The 44-year-old individual, who was staying at a Costa Blanca resort, is now undergoing psychiatric evaluation in a hospital following the distressing incident.
The arrest was made on charges of attempted murder, causing bodily harm, and making threats after the man reportedly lost control at Poniente Beach, one of Benidorm’s largest sandy areas. Reports indicate that he tried to drown a 34-year-old Norwegian woman who was swimming with her partner, and then proceeded to grab a five-year-old Spanish boy by the neck on the beach, allegedly attempting to suffocate him.
The boy’s mother and other beach visitors intervened, with a lifeguard restraining the British man until authorities arrived. He was subsequently hospitalized at Villajoyosa Hospital under police supervision for evaluation.
After the arrest, he was transferred to the National Police before being moved to a hospital. Official statements from the authorities regarding the Tuesday afternoon incident are pending from both police forces involved.
