Dad murdered in horror Benidorm attack as hunt continues for killer

Daily Record

a day ago

Grandad Mike Rydings would have just turned 54. His killer has never been traced.
A holiday to Benidorm ended in an unthinkable disaster when a British dad was fatally attacked after watching a World Cup match.
Mike Rydings, 47, had jetted out to the Spanish resort in June 2018 with pals to celebrate a birthday and soak up the 2018 World Cup atmosphere.
‌
After a night enjoying a few drinks at a bar, the dad-of-two was left fighting for his life after he was viciously attacked in the early hours of June 23, reports Manchester Evening News.
‌
The builder, from Wythenshawe, Manchester, was separated from his mates on the resort's Avenida de Mallorca strip when he was set upon by a member of a group of five or six unknown men.
Mike was punched in the face, his nose was broken. He fell to the ground, hitting his head and sustaining horrific injuries.
He spent a month unconscious in hospital, with his then-pregnant daughter Hayley and sister Nicola flying out to be with him by his side as he lay hooked up to ventilator machines.
Mike was repatriated to Salford Royal Hospital, where he spent the remaining year of his life unable to move or speak. He remained in a vegatative state and required round the clock care until his tragic death in August 2019, aged 48.
His killer has never been found and no witness accounts or police enquiries have ever brought his attacker to justice.
‌
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Speaking on what would have been his 54th birthday, Mike's daughter Hayley said the family has spent years in the dark and 'unable to have closure without answers' as they issued another desperate appeal for information.
"You can't ever really move on, because you don't have any answers," Hayley told the Manchester Evening News. "It's been years and we haven't been told anything.
‌
"At the time, there were so many different witness stories. At one point we were told it was a stag party and someone in camouflage clothing. Then we were told it was a bouncer.
"One stated that, the night he was attacked, my dad had a drink and was seen backing off with his hands in the air when he was punched to the nose, which broke, and then he fell backwards onto his head.
"They said they have never been able to get the sound of him hitting the ground out of their head."
‌
Michael - also known as Mike - had been to the Hippodrome Bar with a group of 30 mates when the lifelong Manchester United fan became separated.
Despite extensive enquiries by both Spanish police and Greater Manchester Police, no arrests have ever been made.
‌
Officers interviewed more than 15 English tourists who were in Benidorm that night.
The man suspected of attacking Mike was described as white, aged in his 20s or 30s, of larger build, 5ft 7ins to 6ft tall - possibly wearing camouflage clothing.
The assault happened in an area popular with tourists. Bars were busy with drinkers watching the world cup and enjoying a night out.
‌
Hayley, 36, added: "My dad's partner at the time got the call from one of his friends to tell her what had happened. When you hear that, you still never think it will be as bad as what we walked into.
"When I first saw him in the hospital and he was lying there with tubes everywhere it was so painful I had to walk back out.
"I was pregnant with one of my daughters, and I flew out the next day with my partner. Between me and Nicola his sister we kept going back and forth to make sure he was never on his own.
‌
"It was so hard on us all. I had a young child at the time too, so it was really difficult."
Mike was flown back and admitted to Salford Royal Hospital. Despite surviving until the August the following year, Hayley said he was unable to move or speak, and that she had 'already lost him' before his life support was turned off.
‌
"He couldn't move, he couldn't talk and he couldn't breath without a machine," Hayley added. "But there were days where it seemed like he was getting better and he'd take breaths on his own.
"It would build up our hope up and we thought he might be able to have some quality of life. But every time you got up there, you'd hit a brick wall.
‌
"Only his eyes were his very limited communication via blinking. You never knew if he understood you or not. It was like we'd already lost him. He was such a proud person and for him to be like that... it just wasn't him. He was always out and about and active.
"My dad never got to hold her or touch my daughter because he was in hospital. In 2022, I had a son which would have been his only grandson. He had always wanted a grandson."
‌
Greater Manchester Police confirmed there had been no updates in the case, which remains in the hands of Spanish authorities.
Anyone who may have information or remember anything that may resonate from a trip to Benidorm in the summer of 2018 is still urged to contact police with any details they may have.
Mike had last been seen wearing a red Hugo Boss t-shirt outside the Hippodrome Bar on Benidorm Square before the brutal assault.
Hayley added: "It was like the Spanish police just thought a British man had gone over, got p***ed and started a fight. But my dad was not a violent person.
"We want to get this out there again, to see if anyone can remember anything or will speak out."