An elderly Swiss couple were savagely beaten and robbed at a holiday home in Almeria, it has emerged.
A man has been jailed following the harrowing attack at a countryside property on June 6, which left the husband so seriously injured that he had to be flown back to Switzerland on a medical evacuation flight.
The suspect was arrested at Madrid-Barajas Airport as he attempted to board a plane with his wife and children to Caracas, Venezuela.
A Rolex watch belonging to one of the victims was found among his possessions.
The attack took place at a rural property in Cuevas de los Ubeda, where the Swiss couple were spending a holiday.
Investigators say the suspect arrived at the isolated home armed with what appeared to be a handgun before threatening and assaulting the pair while demanding valuables.
According to police, the male victim was struck repeatedly with the imitation firearm and a glass bottle before being kicked and punched even after falling to the ground.
He suffered a fractured arm, head injuries and multiple contusions, eventually requiring transport back to Switzerland by air ambulance for further treatment.
His wife was also injured while trying to protect her husband and later needed hospital treatment for head wounds and bruising.
Police say the attacker smashed the couple’s mobile phones, leaving the woman to seek help on foot.
Investigators allege that cash, jewellery, bank cards, identity documents, mobile phones and the luxury Rolex watch were stolen during the raid.
Police identified the suspect as a Venezuelan national living in Malaga who has previous convictions for violent offences, including robbery, threats and attacks on police officers.
Detectives believe he had encountered the Swiss victim days before the attack and had shown a particular interest in the Rolex watch he was wearing.
The investigation involved officers from Almeria, Malaga and Madrid airport, who tracked the suspect before intercepting him on June 10 as he prepared to leave Spain with his partner and children.
During the arrest, police also seized three other luxury watches, gold jewellery and mobile phones that are now being examined.
The suspect has been remanded in custody on suspicion of robbery with violence and causing injury.
His partner has also been arrested over her alleged role in helping facilitate his movements following the attack.
The victims and their family have thanked the Policia Nacional for what they described as the swift and effective handling of the investigation.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
