GRANDFATHER has slammed the “awful” Spanish justice system for locking up his grandson without charge for more than six weeks.

Sydney Barnett, 85, said there was no way Kyle Thain, who is accused of attempted murder, would have harmed two men during a weekend trip to Alicante.

Kyle, 24, of Sandringham Road, Southend, and his friend James Harris, 29, of Pelham Road, Southend, have been held in jail since July 8, but Spanish police are yet to press charges.

Mr Barnett, who lives in Thorpe Bay, said: “When I was told about it, I could not believe it at all.

“Over there, you are guilty until proven innocent, which is awful. He could not have done this. It’s against his nature.”

Kyle and James, both former pupils at the King John School, Thundersley, were arrested as they were checking in to fly home from Murcia Airport on July 5.

The pals were accused of beating up and stabbing two men in a bar near their hotel the previous night.

However, the men maintain they never went to the bar, and their families say there has been a terrible case of mistaken identity.

The friends were taken to separate prison cells, before being transferred to Fontcalent prison, Alicante, on July 8, where they have been ever since.

Despite an ongoing internet campaign to get the two men home, the Spanish authorities have refused to release them until the police investigation is finished.

Mr Barnett, who has run Sydney Barnett barbers in London Road, Westcliff, since 1971, said: “Kyle used to help me in the shop when he was younger, with shampooing and sweeping. The clients loved him.

“He is a lovely fellow. I know he didn’t do it. Something is not right about it. My customers have been supportive, but they can’t believe it either.”