A BRITISH couple accused of the attempted botched kidnapping of a woman in Mallorca will be hauled before court this week.
Craig Mitchell Hughes and partner Naomi Fryer, both in their early forties, could be handed a nine-and-a-half year jail term each if found guilty by a judge at the Balearic Provincial Court on Thursday.
Prosecutors are pursuing charges of attempted unlawful detention, serious resistance to authority and a road safety offence after the pair allegedly tried to kidnap an elderly woman in the Son Ferriol neighbourhood of Palma earlier this year.
The 64-year-old victim was waiting for her daughter on Calle Maria Ana Bonafe at around 1pm on March 15 when the couple pulled up in the car.
The female defendant then allegedly got out, grabbed the woman forcefully by the arm and attempted to drag her into the vehicle.
The victim struggled and managed to break free from her grip, throwing herself to the ground to avoid being forced into the car.
She sustained minor injuries in the altercation and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Speaking to local media, the daughter of the victim said the female suspect was wearing pyjamas at the time of the alleged attack.
“She was waiting for me because we were going to see my niece in a competition,” she said.
“A white car pulled up alongside her and the driver, who was wearing pyjamas, started trying to force her into the vehicle while shouting aggressively, ‘I’m trying to get you in’.
“I was surprised at first not to see mum when I arrived because she’s always waiting for me at the same spot.
“When I saw such a large crowd gathered, I got out of the car and saw my mother lying on the ground – she suffered bruises all over her body, but her neck is hurting the most.”
The couple immediately fled the scene but were quickly located by the Policia Nacional.
Both attempted to resist arrest, with Hughes allegedly attempting to bite officers during the intervention.
He was also found to be driving without a required licence.
According to reports, the British couple have been living in the area for around two years.
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