British couple face jail « Euro Weekly News

A 64-year-old woman waiting for her daughter on a Mallorca street allegedly found herself fighting to escape after a British couple tried to force her into their car. The two Britons had reportedly been living on the island for two years, but what prosecutors say happened that day could now see them jailed for years.

Woman waiting for her daughter

The alleged incident happened at around 1pm on March 15 on Calle Maria Ana Bonafè in Son Ferriol, a neighbourhood of Palma.

According to the prosecution case which took place on Thursday September 10, the woman was standing in the street waiting for her daughter when a white car stopped nearby.

A British woman allegedly got out of the vehicle and attempted to force the 64-year-old into the car.

The woman resisted and fell to the ground while shouting for help. Her husband and several people in the area reportedly intervened, preventing her from being taken away.

The couple then allegedly fled in the vehicle. The woman was subsequently taken to Son Llàtzer Hospital after suffering bruising and other injuries. She was discharged later that evening.

Police arrested the British couple

The National Police launched an investigation following the alleged confrontation. Officers from the force’s Robbery Group later located and arrested the two suspects close to their home in Son Ferriol.

Spanish reports identified the pair as British nationals Craig Michael Hughes and Naomi Claire Fryer.

They were initially remanded in provisional custody without bail after appearing before a judge in Palma. The prosecution case centres on the allegation that the pair used force in an attempt to get the woman into their vehicle.

Couple appear before Mallorca court

The case reached the Provincial Court of the Balearic Islands in Palma on Thursday, September 10. Prosecutors are seeking nine and a half years in prison for each defendant, according to reports on the court proceedings.

The couple face allegations including unlawful detention, resistance and a road-related offence. The allegations have not been proven in court and both defendants are entitled to the presumption of innocence.

The hearing marks the latest stage in a case which began with the alleged confrontation on a residential street in Son Ferriol in March.

Defendant swears at reporters

The court appearance also produced a heated scene outside the Palma courthouse. Hughes, who was handcuffed as he was escorted from the court, was reportedly heard shouting at journalists gathered outside.

According to The Sun, he told reporters to “fk off you stupid c*s”.

The outburst came as the British couple faced the possibility of lengthy prison sentences over the alleged incident. Fryer was also escorted from the court by officers.

The comments made outside the courthouse are separate from the allegations being considered by the Spanish justice system and do not form proof of the charges against either defendant.

Woman managed to escape

The alleged attack unfolded in broad daylight while the woman was waiting for her daughter.

Her daughter reportedly arrived to find a group of people gathered around her mother following the confrontation.

The woman was said to have suffered bruising and pain following the alleged struggle, with the intervention of her husband and other members of the public preventing her from being taken away.

Police were alerted and officers subsequently tracked down the suspects. The case has now progressed to the courts, with prosecutors asking for lengthy prison terms if the defendants are found guilty.

For the 64-year-old woman, the alleged ordeal began as an ordinary wait for her daughter but quickly turned into a struggle to prevent herself from being forced into a car.

The outcome of the case will depend on the evidence presented before the Spanish court.