A couple from Scotland have been left stranded in Spain after thieves ransacked their vehicle and stole £60,000 worth of their belongings.
Anna Higginbottom, 27, and Peter Lesisz, 26, were targeted while staying at a hostel in Bilbao on Monday night.
Cruelly, the couple had been preparing to catch a ferry from the northern Spanish city to Portsmouth on Tuesday before returning to Scotland.
“We’ve been left with only our phones and each other,” Anna said.
“It’s a disaster. We have nothing left. We’re just completely devastated.”
Anna Higginbottom, 27, and Peter Lesisz, 26, were targeted while staying in Bilbao
GOFUNDME
The theft has left the couple unable to return home, with Peter’s passport among the stolen items.
Despite being assured the hostel car park was secure, the duo woke up to discover their passenger side window smashed in and the vehicle’s contents completely raided.
The break-in meant they missed their scheduled ferry crossing.
Peter was then forced to make a 10-hour round trip to Madrid to obtain a temporary passport, using money borrowed from his family.
Peter lost approximately £55,000 worth of rare, specialist car tuning equipment for his business.
His stolen goods included pen drives containing a database of custom engine software files built over eight years.
HOLIDAY HELL – READ MORE:
The theft has left the couple unable to go home – and they have since launched a GoFundMe to raise money for their return
GOFUNDME
Anna, a holistic wellness coach, had been living and working in the Spanish town of Denia.
“Peter’s worked years to build this business,” she said.
“That equipment isn’t just expensive – it’s his entire livelihood. He’s one of the best in the UK at what he does.”
“He has not stopped crying. I’ve never seen him like this. It’s heartbreaking,” she added.
Her losses, valued at around £5,000, included expensive jewellery, clothing, photographs and items from her late mother.
“That’s what hurts most. The sentimental things – they’re just gone. They can’t be replaced,” she said.
The couple believe the ruthless thieves left them with nothing but their mobile phones – forcing them to turn to Spanish social services for emergency accommodation and food.
“The police haven’t helped us. There’s such a language barrier. We’ve had to do our own investigation,” Anna fumed.
She revealed that one of her cards was used locally and they traced it to a shop. “They told us that it was a Moroccan man,” she said.
The pair considered searching dangerous neighbourhoods themselves – but were warned by locals they could be stabbed or attacked.
“We’re terrified that the longer this goes on, the less chance we have of seeing our stuff again,” Anna said.
The couple have launched a GoFundMe appeal to recover some of their losses – which has so far raised over £2,000 towards its £5,500 target.