Dad's 12-year torment as Scottish son's killer 'lives normal life' after stag do murder

The father of a man tragically killed on a stag do in Spain has issued a heartfelt plea for witnesses to step forward, marking the 12th anniversary of his son's untimely death. Craig Mallon, aged 26, was fatally struck outside Rockefellers Bar in the popular holiday resort of Lloret de Mar on the Costa Brava, at around 6:20am on Saturday, May 19, 2012.

The attack occurred during his brother's stag party when a group of men assaulted him.

Despite eyewitness accounts of the brutal assault, it is believed that the group of men, thought to be French, fled Spain the next day and the case remains unsolved. Ian, Craig's father from Coatbridge, expressed his anguish over the fact that his son's killer has been living a normal life for the past 12 years as he urged key witnesses to come forward.

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Ian stated: "Our family's grief is aggravated by the fact that people out there have information about what happened."

He added, "People have information that they might not think is relevant and there are people who know who killed Craig.", reports the Daily Record.

He further lamented, "My son's killer is still out there living a normal life after 12 years. They may now have a family of their own."

He implored, "Please reflect on your own conscience. If you or someone you know has vital information please come forward so we can get answers and our family justice."

A specialist inquiry team, led by retired Strathclyde Police detective David Swindle, managed to identify those believed to be responsible for Craig's murder. He has been assisting the family for several years and subsequently established Victims Abroad.

The team researching into the murder believe they have identified the culprits, who are thought to have escaped Spain the day following their assault on Craig. However, additional information that could lead to definite convictions is still required.

David Swindle expressed: "This has been incredibly frustrating for Craig's family and friends, who deserve to see those responsible held accountable. We know an English-speaking woman telephoned the Spanish emergency services the morning after and spoke about a tall man and others involved in a fight."

"The description of the distinctly tall man features in other witness statements. The woman's information is vital."

Before the tragic incident, Craig had been residing in Australia but had returned to Scotland briefly to visit his parents, before embarking on his trip to Lloret De Mar with the stag group.

Tragically, a mere seven hours after touching down in the holiday destination, around 6:20am, Craig was assaulted outside a nightclub.

Craig's father, Ian, has shared how he has previously suffered two heart attacks, a stroke and spinal surgery, attributing these health problems to the unresolvable grief from his son's death.

His wife Antoinette passed away in 2018, without ever seeing justice served for her son.

Reflecting on his late wife's struggle, Ian said: "She gave up her fight with cancer the day that we lost our son. Having to identify his body was horrendous. It left us both devastated and it's something you never truly get past."

"I nursed Antoinette for months and we were both determined to see the people responsible for his death caught. Knowing my wife passed away without any answers is still devastating to me. It has left me broken."