British pensioner, 68, killed in Spain after ‘sucker punch’ attack

By Jon King, News Reporter

Marshall Latham died after being punched in a random attack in Fuerteventura (Image: GoFundMe)

A British man has died after he was attacked "out of the blue" while on holiday in Spain. Marshall Latham, 68, was with his partner Lynn in Caleta, Fuerteventura, when he was punched by a complete stranger.

The retired carpenter from Nantwich, Cheshire, was on his way back to his holiday apartment after drinks with pals when the reportedly random attack happened on December 10. His brother-in-law, Jim Casey, said Mr Latham was hit so hard that he fell onto the concrete floor, smacking his head.

He was knocked unconscious and rushed to hospital in Puerto del Rosario, according to reports. Mr Latham was then transferred to Insular Hospital in Gran Canaria by air ambulance.

The pensioner underwent surgery which saw part of his skull removed before a tracheotomy. Mr Latham later caught pneumonia and developed meningitis.

He was flown to the UK and admitted to Aintree Hospital in Liverpool on March 1. It emerged on Wednesday (May 21) that Mr Latham, who had been in a coma, died in hospital on March 16.

A British man, 32, was reportedly arrested after trying to board a flight to the UK following the attack.

The suspect appeared in court after his arrest on suspicion of wounding, but he was bailed in February.

Mr Latham was attacked in Caleta, Fuerteventura (pictured) (Image: Getty)

An inquest into Mr Latham's death was opened at Warrington Coroner's Court on May 14. It has been adjourned until August to allow police in Spain to consider any criminal charges.

Mr Casey told The Nantwich News his brother-in-law had never been in trouble in his life. A GoFundMe appeal has been set up to help Mr Latham's family secure justice for their loved one.

At the time of publication, more than £17,000 has been raised from donations towards a £30,000 target.

Organised by Neil Cooper and Kerri Peachey, the GoFundMe page describes Mr Latham as a "well loved character" in Nantwich and Fuerteventura where he spent winter months holidaying with his partner.

They add that Mr Latham's family and friends want to bring his attacker to justice, adding he didn’t deserve what happened to him and it was a case of his being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Mr Latham's supporters plan to spend the money raised on hiring a solicitor to review the case.