Five British soldiers held over Lanzarote brawl

Five British soldiers have been arrested after allegedly attacking staff and customers at a restaurant called The Mad Cow on Lanzarote.

The men, thought to be on holiday, are said to have gone berserk after being caught trying to steal a bottle of wine and asked to leave.

Witnesses told how families with children cowered under tables as chairs and bottles flew over their heads. Several people were treated in hospital after being punched as they went to the aid of the restaurant owner.

One man said: "I've never seen such violence. Four of five of them at a time were hitting people as hard as they could."

The incident took place on Saturday in the resort of Costa Teguise. The soldiers appeared in court yesterday in the capital Arrecife to answer allegations of assault and criminal damage.
No one has yet been charged and a judicial investigation is continuing.

The soldiers are thought to be members of the Welsh Guards.