New twist in Costa del Sol murder inquiry

A grieving father whose son died in Spain believes a similar assault on a BBC presenter could provide clues to his boy’s death.

Harry Lindsay thinks the same gang is responsible for the attacks that killed his son, Chris, and left Radio Scotland golf presenter Alan Tait battered and bruised.

Harry’s been fighting for answers ever since Chris was battered to death while on a holiday on the Costa del Sol in 2011.

The 34-year-old father-of-three was found in the street by police, heavily bruised and with his personal belongings missing. He died in hospital five days later.

Harry’s pleas to Spanish authorities to open a formal inquiry into the incident have fallen on deaf ears. However, his search for answers took an unexpected turn recently when he read about Alan, who is director of golf at the Marriott Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club in Edinburgh.

He was on a golf break with friends on the Costa del Sol in April when he was drugged, beaten and robbed. He woke up covered in cuts and bruises the following morning with no recollection of what had happened. It was reported that local police told him he had been slipped horse tranquiliser ketamine.

When Alan spoke out about his traumatic experience, Harry recognised the parallels with Chris’s situation and immediately contacted him. Harry, from Chapelhall near Airdrie, said: “The moment I read Alan’s story the similarities were obvious.

“Alan said he is 6ft 2in and could look after himself, as could Chris. The two boys are of similar size and fitness, so to be taken out of the game makes you wonder what’s being put in the drinks. I believe both had their drinks spiked and were then followed and beaten.

“I’ve never been able to get answers over Chris’s death but I feel I have a more complete idea now after speaking with Alan. It’s helped us to better understand what happened to Chris.

“There’s no doubt in my mind it’s the same folk responsible for both attacks. I believe it’s organised crime and the police over there just turn a blind eye.”

Harry is so certain Alan’s story could aid his son’s case that he sent details of the golfer’s attack to charity Justice Across Borders as part of a dossier of information on his son’s death.

The organisation announced on Thursday that it was shutting down due to lack of funding, but Harry is hopeful that the Spanish-speaking solicitor they appointed to him will continue to assist in this latest attempt for answers.

“I think this will likely be my final chance to push for an inquiry,” Harry admitted. “I don’t really know where else I can go after this.”