Shropshire Star

Cricketer loses five teeth as jaw broken in Magaluf gang attack

A cricketer is recovering after having his jaw broken in four places after being targeted by a gang while on holiday in Majorca.

Published
Travis Keys had surgery in Telford after the attack in Magaluf

Travis Keys, an Australian wicket keeper who plays for Shropshire County League side Bomere Heath, was attacked by five or six men as he returned from a night out in Magaluf.

The party capital has been plagued in recent months by gangs of robbers who target drunken tourists. The gang escaped with Mr Keys' mobile phone and 20 euros.

The attack took place on Monday last week after he had been on a night out with friends.

He left early, leaving his friends in a bar, and was attacked as he made his way back to where he was staying.

He said: "I was walking back and what we believe has happened is five or six people rolled me.

"I lost five teeth, had four breaks in my jaw, a broken arm and swelling on the brain."

The Punta Ballena strip in Magaluf is popular with tourists

Mr Keys, who is 21, spent two days in hospital on the island before returning home on Thursday last week.

He is now recovering at home following an operation on his jaw at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital.

He praised the surgeons who had treated him.

"Everything has gone better than planned and after an amazing job from the surgeons, I am now back to myself," he said.

"I still face a long road of recovery, although that will now be pain and stress free."

Bomere Heath Cricket Club chairman Andy McIlroy said it was a totally unprovoked attack.

"He just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time," he said.

"He is a slightly built lad, there is no way he will play cricket again this season."

Last month it was reported that police in the resort were aware of an organised gang of about 20 youngsters who were preying on drunken tourists in its buzzing night-life area.

Their favourite haunt is the Punta Ballena strip and they usually work in groups of five or six.

The young muggers, aged around 17 or 18, deliberately bump into the tourists in a bid to steal possessions such as backpacks, handbags, wallets or jewellery.

If their target tries to resist, they are attacked.

A number of incidents were detected by the Civil Guard last year but there has already been an escalation this summer in what is being described as "a new phenomenon".

Police believe the gangs are believed to be natives of the island.

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