Holiday attack changed our lives forever...
THE family of a father who suffered a serious brain injury after being attacked by a drunken 16-year-old on holiday say their lives have been ‘changed forever.’
Barron Brooks, from Wigan, has been unable to work since the alleged assault at the Mediterrani Hotel resort in Cala Blanca, Menorca, in July 2018.
The 53-year-old was returning from a trip to nearby shops when he was attacked from behind by the intoxicated teenager in front of shocked hotel guests, including his wife and teenage son. It left the former HGV driver with a laceration to the back of his head.
After returning to the UK, he continued to experience pain, headaches and fatigue and was told by doctors that he had suffered a serious brain injury requiring surgery.
More than a year on, Mr Brooks’ wife, Yvette, says she is yet to receive an apology from tour operator TUI.
The family has also accused the firm of trying to brush them off and have now hired solicitors to represent them in a bid to find answers.
Following the attack, the teenager, who is also from the UK, was questioned by Spanish police, but no charges were ever brought.
JMW Solicitors say the teen had been allowed to buy and consume an ‘excessive amount’ of alcohol at the resort using an adult all-inclusive wristband.
They claim other guests had complained about the teenager’s ‘loutish and raucous behaviour’ earlier in the day, but TUI staff had failed to intervene. Mr Brooks’ family say that following the brutal assault, TUI reps even asked for their permission to allow the attacker to remain at the hotel.
Yvette said: “Our lives changed forever the day Barron was attacked – of all the things you expect from a holiday, we never imagined something like this would happen.
“Since we arrived back in the UK, I’ve tried to get a response from TUI but they’ve brushed us off every time. I’ve been down to the TUI store in Horwich in person, and I’ve made countless phone calls, but they just don’t want to know.
“We need help, but there’s just no accountability – no charges have been brought against the person who attacked Barron despite the injuries he has been left with, and TUI haven’t bothered to respond at all. I think they’re just hoping we’ll give up and go away. Barron has been an HGV driver his entire working life but after the attack he can’t to do that any more – it’s just heartbreaking.”
Solicitor Joanne Brine, who is representing Mr Brooks, said: “Despite the severity of Barron’s injuries, TUI have offered no response whatsoever. The assailant should never have been permitted to drink alcohol, and the allocation of wrist bands should have been monitored appropriately by hotel staff.
“If the staff had only acted on other guests’ complaints earlier in the day, this horrendous attack would likely not have happened.”
A spokesman for TUI said: “We are very sorry to hear of Mr Brooks’ experience. As this is now a legal matter, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”