Tributes to ‘wonderful’ Brit tourist who died after ‘bouncer put him in horror Lion Killer chokehold’ in Gran Canaria

HEARTBREAKING tributes have been paid to a “wonderful” Brit holidaymaker who died after allegedly being assaulted by a nightclub bouncer in Gran Canaria.

Scott Lacey’s devastated “partner and friends” were said to have been partying with him when the doorman put him in a chokehold known as the ‘Lion Killer’ during a night out in the resort of Playa del Ingles.

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Today stunned pals and well-wishers were rallying round heartbroken partner Charli Wilkins, from Chichester, West Sussex, after she admitted she was “devastated” in an emotional social media message.

Confirming 47-year-old Scott’s had tragically died, she said: “It is with the greatest sorrow that I’m having to share that while on holiday in Gran Canaria, Scott sadly passed away.

“This is understandably still very raw and myself and our families are trying to process this devastating news.

“Details will be shared regarding the funeral as soon as we can and I know Scott would want as many people as possible to celebrate his life.”

Shocked Martin Atkinson, from Redditch, Worcestershire, reacted by saying: “God, can’t believe this. He was a fantastic bloke, one of the best.”

Others described Scott as “a wonderful man”, an “absolute gent” and “beautiful man inside and out.”

The incident that resulted in Scott’s death occurred at a nightclub called Chic in Playa del Ingles in the early hours of July 24.

Police revealed yesterday a man had been arrested.

A spokesman for the National Police in San Bartolome de Tirajana said yesterday: “Officers have arrested a 32-year-old man who has no police record as the suspected author of a crime of homicide.

“In the early hours of July 24 an emergency call was received saying a person was lying lifeless on the ground near a nightspot in Playa del Ingles.

“Several police units responded along with other emergency services.

“Once they were there, they confirmed the death of the man, an English tourist, and cordoned off the area.

“Investigators began to gather information from witnesses and staff as well as friends and the partner of the dead man.

“The initial information received pointed towards the dead man suffering a heart attack as according to those who knew him, he had consumed narcotic substances that night.

“However marks were observed on his neck and his body was transported to the island’s Institute of Forensic Medicine for further analysis.

“Several witnesses told police they had seen how one of the members of staff had carried out a chokehold known as a Mata Leao Lion Killer choke because the British man he performed it on was very agitated.

“When he was immobilised he collapsed on the ground.

“CCTV cameras were then analysed and evidence obtained showing an employee of the nightspot grabbing the victim by the neck before he fell to the floor.

“The forensic report corroborated the cause of death as asphyxia.

“Given the risk the suspected killer could abscond, a search operation was put in place and once he was located the suspect was immediately arrested.

“He was subsequently remanded to a local jail on the orders of an investigating magistrate.”

Although the arrest occurred on July 29, police waited until after the suspect’s court appearance behind closed doors to reveal the detention.

No-one at the nightclub could be reached for comment today.