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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
John Cooper

Welshman appears in court over death of Ibiza club promoter who suffered catastrophic head injuries in party resort

A man from the Rhondda has appeared in court in connection with the death of a young club promoter who died while allegedly breaking up a fight in Ibiza.

Harry Kingsland, from Shirley, Solihull, suffered catastrophic head injuries in the incident in San Antonio on July 18 2018.

Mitchell Andrew Loveridge was initially arrested in 2018 but given bail while Spanish police investigated the death.

Mr Loveridge appeared in a Spanish court again on Wednesday, March 24, and was remanded into custody there.

Spanish law enforcement agency Guardia Civil was believed to be close to finishing their investigation.

Much-loved Harry had been living his dream working and partying in Ibiza before the tragedy.

His mother Julie and dad Gene returned to Ibiza in July 2019 to meet friends of their son and to seek answers over his death.

Harry Kingsland suffered catastrophic head injuries in the incident (Julie Kingsland)

During the trip, they lit candles and lay flowers outside the apartments where Harry died.

At the time Julie, aged 52, said: "It was a very emotional visit. He was held in very high regard in San Antonio by a wide circle of friends.

"It was very emotional going to see his friends and work colleagues and hearing what amazing things they had to say about him. He was much loved by so many people.

"I then went to the apartments where he was attacked inside and I lit candles and laid flowers there.

"It was incredibly emotional but it was also a great comfort to meet so many people who loved him."

Julie and Gene Kingsland in San Antonio, Ibiza (Julie Kingsland)

Harry, one of seven siblings, was spending his first spell living and working away from home after taking up a club promotions job in the resort.

He raised the funds for the trip by grafting as a bricklayer while perfecting his beach body in Dino’s Gym.

Following his death, Julie paid tribute to her 'happy-go-lucky' son whose love of sport and charming nature landed him friends everywhere he went.

(Julie Kingsland)

She said: “Harry was a fitness freak and a competitor in everything he did.

"He went to Dino’s Gym every day and they gave him the inspiration to get the body he wanted, and he got it.

"Other people were inspired by Harry, and he had a lot of followers on Instagram. At the same time, he was considerate, he would walk girls home, including a girl whose drink had been spiked.

“She was so grateful she texted me from Ibiza to tell me that. He was a true gent.”

Harry became a Tae Kwon Do world champion at the age of ten under the tutelage of Shirley-based instructor Steve Merricks. He also played for Camp Hill Rugby Club with his brothers George and Charlie.

Before heading to the island he worked as a bricklayer for Tony McGettigan, who his family credited as a mentor and inspiration.

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