Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Andrew Bardsley & Graeme Murray

Family of grandad who died after attack abroad appeal for help in catching killer

The family of a grandfather who died in Spain have appealed for help in catching his killer.

Mike Rydings was outside a nightclub in a sunshine holiday resort when he was attacked outside a nightclub.

The 48-year-old was brutally battered while in Benidorm with a group of pals.

He was flown home to Manchester where he was treated at Salford Royal Hospital, but could only communicate by blinking, Manchester Evening News reports.

The grandfather was often "completely unaware" of where he was or identify his family before he died.

Mike, a construction worker, had gone abroad to celebrate a birthday and watch the 2018 World Cup with friends.

Mike Rydings died after being attacked outside the Hipodromo bar in Benidorm, Spain (Google Streetview)

In the early hours of June 23, 2018, following an altercation, Mike was attacked by a man who was part of a larger gang of five or six men.

Spanish police and Greater Manchester Police launched an investigation, but his killer has not been brought to justice.

Manchester Evening News reports his family have made an emotional appeal for help ahead of an inquest into his death

Mike's daughter, Hayley Barker, and sister, Nikki Howard, said in a joint statement: "Someone somewhere knows who this person is.

"Were you with him? Is he your friend or partner?

"All Mike’s family and friends want is some justice for him.

"The person who did this is continuing to live a full life, but he could repeat this attack on a member of your family and change your life forever!

Detective Inspector Nicola McCulloch, of the force's Major Incident Team, said: "While the murder investigation in Spain hasn’t been successful, we continue to be determined to do whatever possible to get the answers Mike's loved ones crave for his upcoming inquest."

In their statement, Ms Barker and Ms Howard told of the "nightmare" they lived following the attack.

"Mike spent 13 months in Salford Royal Hospital on the Critical Care Unit where he was unable to speak or move," they said.

Mike Rydings (Greater Manchester Police)

"Only his eyes were his very limited communication via blinking although most of the time his injury was so extreme that very often Mike was completely unaware of where he was, who his family were and more importantly, who he was!

"At the age of 47-years-old, a father and a grandfather, his life had changed forever relying on every single medical resource available in order for him to survive, unable to breathe unaided, unable to tell you how he was feeling, unable to even hold your hand!

"And it happened due to one vicious incident, in an instant but this nightmare didn’t end there.

"After extensive medical intervention, family daily visits and praying that Mike would recover and be able to live the rest of his life, it was cut short.

"His condition was never going to improve; his quality of life was so limited that the kindest but incredibly heart-breaking decision was to let him go."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.