UK woman stabbed to death in Spain

Janette May Grocutt, 74, was stabbed to death at her home in the village of Paredon, near Alicante, while her husband Douglas Grocutt lay bedridden upstairs.

It is believed that Mrs Grocutt was trying to fight off thieves, according to reports which said gangs had been targeting foreign residents in the area.

The national newspaper El Pais reported that the robbery was believed to have been the primary motive for the attack, since it said that the house had been searched.

The newspaper also reported that forensic examinations would give a clearer picture of Mrs Grocutt's injuries and confirm whether or not she resisted her attackers.

Initial police inquiries are looking at the possibility that the 74-year-old's attackers knew that her husband was not able to defend his wife and took advantage of the situation, it was also reported.

Mr Grocutt, who was not harmed in the attack, was taken to hospital suffering from stress as a result of the incident.

The couple, who run a campsite, are thought to have moved from Cornwall to Paredon around six years ago.

A Foreign Office spokesman confirmed the dead woman's name but would make no further comment on the details of the investigation.

He added that her next of kin had been informed and consular officials in Alicante were in touch with Mrs Grocutt's family.