A 44-year-old British holidaymaker has been arrested after allegedly trying to drown a woman in the sea before attacking a five-year-old child on the sand in a shocking incident on Benidorm’s Poniente beach.
The disturbing scenes unfolded shortly after 6pm on Tuesday, June 2, near the junction of Calle l’Alfàs del Pi and Avenida Vicente Llorca Alós.
According to reports, the man approached a 34-year-old Norwegian woman as she was bathing with her boyfriend and, without warning, allegedly grabbed her by the neck and forced her head underwater. Her partner reportedly managed to pull her free after struggling with the attacker.
Moments later, the suspect is said to have turned on a five-year-old boy who was playing on the shoreline with his family. Witnesses say he grabbed the child by the neck and pushed his face into the sand, holding him down until the boy’s mother and nearby beachgoers rushed to help.
A lifeguard who happened to be nearby intervened and restrained the man until Benidorm Local Police arrived and arrested him.
Police sources say the suspect continued to behave violently after being detained, kicking and struggling inside the patrol car and later causing further problems once handed over at the police station.
While in custody, he allegedly attempted to harm himself inside a holding cell. Officers intervened immediately and prevented the incident.
He was later transferred under police guard to Vila Joiosa Hospital, where he was admitted for assessment and treatment. It has not yet been confirmed whether he was suffering from a mental health episode or was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The man is currently under investigation on suspicion of attempted murder, assault and threats. Proceedings have been passed to Benidorm’s duty court.
The shocking incident has left beachgoers stunned after what should have been an ordinary summer afternoon on one of the Costa Blanca’s busiest beaches.
