Gay Britain: Resort stabbing

A Spanish man was due to be questioned today in connection with the murder of a British holidaymaker who was found stabbed to death on a tourist beach. The body of 50-year-old Peter Simms was found on the beach at Sitges, a popular resort south of Barcelona, on Wednesday.

A local man had been arrested in connection with Mr Simms' murder and was to be interviewed by the examining magistrate investigating the case, said a spokesman at the British consulate in Barcelona.

Mr Simms, who worked for a mobile phone company in Coventry, and was thought to have been single, was due to return home to Northampton tomorrow, after a two-week holiday with a friend. His brother and mother were too upset to speak about his death.

In line with Spanish police practice, the suspect, a 44-year-old local man, was named only by his initials of JOM. A judge is to decide in the next few days whether to release him on bail or keep him in custody. JOM, who was continuing to be questioned by officers, has not admitted murdering Mr Simms.