British man held on suspicion of killing father in holiday fight on Spanish camping site

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A British man is being questioned on suspicion of killing his father in a fight while on holiday at a Spanish camping site.

The 45-year-old, named in reports as Ian Bennett, was arrested on Friday in L'Estartit, a seaside town on north-east Spain's Costa Brava, after allegedly attacking his father, named as Douglas Bennett, 69.

Mr Bennett senior was taken to hospital but died on Friday morning, triggering a murder investigation by Catalan police.

His brother Bob told The Mail on Sunday: "Doug and Ian were so close it was unreal. I have no idea what could have sparked this. I'm absolutely speechless."

He said that he and his brother had not been in contact much following family difficulties, but could not imagine why he would be assaulted by his son.

"He was still my brother and I'm very sad to hear about his death," he told the newspaper. "I don't know whether it might be relevant or not but Ian was very ill about 20 years ago when he had some sort of mental breakdown."

Another sibling, Douglas Bennett's younger sister, Valerie, 47, added: "All we know is Doug is dead and Ian has been arrested. I'm stunned."

Local reports said the incident took place at the Castell Montgri campsite, which is named after a nearby medieval castle.

It was reported that Douglas Bennett and his wife Gloria, from Chard in Somerset, were staying in a mobile home with his son and his wife, Louisa.

Shaun Jackson, 66, a neighbour of Mr Bennett senior, said: "Ian is a lovely bloke and in all my time I've never seen any arguing so I would put my money on this being a horrible accident," the Sunday Mirror reported.

A police spokesman said: "The incident took place Friday morning at around 1.45am in a camping site in L'Estartit when the arrested man is believed to have attacked his father.

"The victim was taken by emergency services to hospital to be attended for the wounds he suffered, while local police in Torroella de Montgri arrested the alleged perpetrator for domestic violence.

"The victim died Friday morning and investigators from the Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan regional police) took on the case."

It is not thought any weapons were used in the alleged attack.

Police were alerted by the site's night duty security guard, the El Punt Avui newspaper's website said.

When emergency services arrived they found the victim unconscious on the ground next to a pool of blood.

He was taken to Josep Trueta hospital in Girona with "severe head wounds" and other injuries but doctors were unable to save him, El Punt Avui reported.

The picturesque fishing village of L'Estartit is a popular holiday resort with many hotels, apartment blocks and campsites.

Castell Montgri's website says the camp, which is at the entrance to the village, offers a "beautiful natural setting" and "stunning sandy beaches".

PA