Three in court over island attack
Monday, August 10, 2009 @ 5:38 PM
Three teenagers have appeared before a judge on the Spanish island of Majorca after an attack on a 16-year-old boy.
Alex Hughes, from Radyr, Cardiff, has been in hospital in a coma after a brain haemorrhage over a week ago.
His family say he was hit over the head with a bottle as he left a nightclub in the Port d'Andratx resort.
The teenagers, who are all aged under 18, have been placed in their parents' custody at home while the investigating judge decides what to do.
They have been implicated in the incident but there are no specific charges against the three questioned. The charges will depend on Alex's condition and if he recovers.
The three could be ordered eventually to stand trial at the island's juvenile court, but charges will not be decided for some time.
Alternatively, the judge could send the trio into custody for a set period at a remand centre.
It must be a very harrowing time for his parents. It's your worst nightmare.
Margaret Lloyd, chair of governors
Alex, who has recently taken his GCSEs at Radyr Comprehensive School, was staying with three friends and their parents on the island when the attack happened during a night out.
His grandmother said he remained "critical but stable" in hospital.
"We are just praying that he will make it," said Pauline Simms, of Aberdare, in the Cynon Valley.
"He was over on holidays with friends and their parents for a nice break after doing their GCSEs.
"They went to a little nightclub which was (in) a very quiet resort in Majorca and these Spanish boys set upon them after they came out from the nightclub on their way home.
"Alex was the unlucky one to be hit on the head with a bottle."
Mrs Simms said a parent of one of his friends had been waiting up for them to return, and called paramedics who took Alex to hospital in Palma.
"They decided immediately to operate on him and at the moment it is still a very serious situation," added his grandmother.
Earlier, the Spanish Civil Guard said there were three male suspects in the case.
The Sun newspaper said the attackers targeted Alex and his friends because they had been dancing with local girls.
Alex's father, Dr Dermot Hughes, a consultant anaesthetist in neurosurgery, and his mother Helen flew out to be at their son's bedside.
Margaret Lloyd, chair of governors at Radyr Comprehensive, said: "We're very shocked and we feel a great deal of sympathy for his parents and good wishes go out to him for a full and speedy recovery.
"It must be a very harrowing time for his parents. It's your worst nightmare, you send your child on holiday and hope they're having a good time but never think it's going to happen to you."
Source: BBC News