Brit tourist, 68, may ‘never walk or talk again’ after horror unprovoked attack on night out while on hols in Spain

A BRITISH tourist who suffered a brain injury in an "unprovoked" attack during a night out in Spain may never walk or talk again, medics have warned. Retired carpenter Marshall Latham, 68, was left fighting for his life after being sucker punched in a street on the Canary island Fuerteventuran.

Now, doctors have told his partner Lynn he is unlikely to recover from his brain damage and "he will never walk or talk again". A 32-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the attack and released on bail, it emerged today. The injured Brit’s brother-in-law Jim Casey had told local paper Nantwich News in an interview last week the suspect had been nabbed on a plane as he tried to fly to Glasgow.

The nightmare began when after Marshall, from Nantwhich, Cheshire, had been out drinking with friends in the resort of Caleta de Fuste, on the east side of the island. As he was walking home, he was "punched out of the blue by someone he didn't know", according to a GoFundMe appeal set up in his name.

Other witness reports also say that the attack was unprovoked and there was no prior altercation between the two, per Canarian Weekly. Marshall was knocked off his feet by the strike and smacked his head on the hard concrete floor - knocking him unconscious.

Emergency services rushed to the scene and Marshall was whisked to hospital in Puerto del Rosario, where he was sedated, before being transferred to a larger facility in Gran Canaria. There, he had a 14cm chunk of his skull removed, a tracheotomy, a drain on his brain to help ease pressure, and suffered pneumonia twice and meningitis.

Friend Neil Cooper said Marshall's loved ones have been told "not once, but twice" that they need to say goodbye to him because "the medical staff didn’t think he would make it though the night". He added: “We want to bring Marsh’s attacker to justice and although this won’t change his medical situation, it will allow his friends and family to know that the person who did this has to face the consequences of their actions.".

Cops confirmed today that a man had been arrested in connection with the assault. A spokesman for the National Police said: “A 32-year-old man whose initials are TD was held at Fuerteventura Airport after being identified from CCTV. “He was handed over to the courts following his arrest.”.

A court official for the area said: “He appeared before a judge at Court of Investigation Number Four in Puerto del Rosario. “He is being investigated on suspicion of a crime of wounding. “He was released on bail. An investigation is ongoing. The court is awaiting a forensic review and the taking of witness statements.”.

Neither the police or court officials were able to confirm his nationality. He said: “Lynn had gone back to their apartment, and Marsh stayed for another drink and was walking home when something has happened. “He was hit by this guy, somewhere near a taxi rank, and he has gone down and hit his head on the concrete floor.".

He continued: “We are also told this man had been thrown out of a bar on the same night before the attack. Allen Gage, a local councillor for Crewe and Natwich, said in a social media post: “We need justice. A much cherished friend of mine, a gentleman that would give you the shirt from his back was sadly attacked and put in a coma while in Spain just before Christmas.".

The assault happened on December 10, but details of the horrific injuries Marshall suffered have only just emerged. Gage continued: “He literally crossed the road to help someone out - no surprise there. Mr Marshall Latham, 'Marsh' to his friends, continues to fight on in a coma.".

“A community fundraiser has been launched to pursue civil justice. Thanks to all those who have contributed.". "Fight on Marsh, we will fight for you too.". The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has confirmed it is supporting the family of a British man who has been hospitalised in Spain.

“MARSH was involved in an unprovoked attack in Caleta, Fuerteventura, whilst on holiday in the Canary Islands. “He was walking back to his apartment after a couple of drinks with his friends and was punched out of the blue by someone he did not know.

“This punch resulted in Marsh falling and hitting his head hard on the concrete floor. Marsh was knocked unconscious and an ambulance was called. “Marsh went to the hospital in Puerto del Rosario and this is where he was intubated, ventilated and underwent a CT scan which showed he had two skull fractures and a bleed on his brain, a very serious injury that required immediate surgical intervention.

“However, the hospital in Fuerteventura is not equipped for such traumatic cases as this so Marsh was transferred via air ambulance to the Insular Hospital in Gran Canaria. “The surgeons at both hospitals were surprised that he survived the flight as his injuries were that severe.