My husband was ‘killed by neighbour with garden hoe’ in Spain – now I need £15,000 for a lawyer: Widow of British woman ‘murdered in dog walking dispute’ begs for help mounting legal case

  • Martin Allwright, 59, was allegedly attacked by his neighbour on August 12
  • He died a week later, after suffering a severe brain injury in the attack

A British widow living in Spain is asking for help with legal costs after her husband was allegedly murdered with a garden hoe.

Martin Allwright, 59, was allegedly attacked by a neighbour in the town of Zurgena in the Almeria region of southeastern Spain earlier this month after the two reportedly got into an argument because the victim was walking his dog ‘too close to his house’.

The angry neighbour allegedly hit Mr Allwright over the head with the garden tool, causing him to suffer serious brain damage.

Mr Allwright was rushed to La Inmaculada Hospital, about 20 minutes from Zurgena, for surgery, but doctors were unable to save him and he died a week after the brutal attack.

Now his widow Sarah is raising money to cover legal costs as she pursues justice for her late husband.

Martin Allwright, 59, was allegedly attacked by a neighbour in the town of Zurgena in the Almeria region of southeastern Spain

The angry neighbour allegedly hit Mr Allwright on the head with a garden tool, causing him to suffer serious brain damage

The angry neighbour allegedly hit Mr Allwright on the head with a garden tool, causing him to suffer serious brain damage

Mr Allwright was rushed to La Inmaculada Hospital, about 20 minutes from Zurgena, for surgery, but doctors were unable to save him.

Mr Allwright was rushed to La Inmaculada Hospital, about 20 minutes from Zurgena, for surgery, but doctors were unable to save him.

The widow put out a GoFundMe appeal, writing: ‘My name is Sarah Allwright. I am the wife of Martin Allwright.

‘Martin was the victim of a brutal attack on August 12, 2024. He was hit on the back of the head with a sharp garden tool.

‘He underwent brain surgery and was in hospital for a week, but sadly passed away on Monday, August 19.

‘I have hired a criminal lawyer to punish the man who did this.

‘The costs for this amount to at least 18,000 euros. I had to make the down payment of 9,000 euros this week.

“I am asking for help with this as this is a huge expense for me. It is not something I ever thought I would have to do. Any help would be so appreciated.”

Sarah thanked supporters, adding: ‘Thank you so much for the donations so far.

‘Martin had a lot of friends and he was always up for a joke.

‘His great passion was rugby with Exeter Chiefs and it will be a shame that he cannot join me for the start of the new season.’

Sarah’s profession had raised over €5,000 of the €9,000 target at the time of writing.

Police have arrested a suspect after the attack in a small town called Zurgena in the province of Almeria (pictured) in southeastern Spain

Police have arrested a suspect after the attack in a small town called Zurgena in the province of Almeria (pictured) in southeastern Spain

The victim was taken to La Inmaculada hospital in Huercal-Overa, a 20-minute drive from Zurgena, with serious head injuries, but died a week after the attack.

The victim was taken to La Inmaculada hospital in Huercal-Overa, a 20-minute drive from Zurgena, with serious head injuries, but died a week after the attack.

Earlier this month, a local police spokesperson said investigators had solved the case and it was now before a local court.

Sources close to the investigation said a man, believed to be the neighbour, was initially arrested on suspicion of attempted manslaughter following the attack just after 1am on August 12.

He now faces a new, more serious charge: murder.

It was not yet clear today whether the argument over the dog that led to the violent attack was related to the sound the animal made or whether something else was going on.

Zurgena has just under 3,000 inhabitants and is located in the Almanzora Valley, close to the towns of Albox, Huercal-Overa and Los Carasoles.

It is located a 40-minute drive from the tourist resorts of Mojacar and Vera and approximately an hour and a half from the provincial capital of Almeria.