A British man with a history of child sex offences has been arrested in Spain following an alleged attempt to abduct a two-year-old child from a public park in Barcelona.
Brave Brother Thwarts Park Snatch Attempt
The shocking incident occurred on Sunday evening in a park within the city's Sant Andreu neighbourhood. According to local reports, the 35-year-old suspect allegedly tried to take the young child. His attempt was reportedly foiled by the child's courageous 12-year-old brother, who intervened and tried to punch the man, forcing him to flee the scene.
Witnesses provided a description to the regional Mossos d'Esquadra police force, who swiftly attended and later tracked down the suspect. The 35-year-old, originally from Manchester but currently living in Barcelona's Zona Franca industrial area, was taken into custody.
UK Criminal History Revealed
Upon his arrest, Spanish police discovered the man had a criminal record in the United Kingdom. He was previously known to British authorities for sexual misconduct involving children and for possessing a weapon on school premises. It remains unclear whether he had been merely arrested or formally convicted and placed on a sex offenders register for these past offences.
A spokesman for the Mossos d'Esquadra confirmed the arrest, stating: "I can confirm an arrest took place following reports a man tried to snatch a child in a park in the Sant Andreu area of Barcelona." The spokesman declined to comment further on the suspect's UK history.
Suspect Released on Strict Bail Conditions
Following a closed court hearing before an investigating magistrate, the suspect was released on bail pending the ongoing investigation. His release comes with stringent conditions imposed by the court.
He has been explicitly banned from going within 50 metres of the park where the alleged abduction attempt took place. The investigation into the full circumstances of the event continues.
