THE devastated family of a Bournemouth roofer who was murdered by a gang in Spain four years ago have launched a campaign for justice.

Stephen Mallon, 49, of Southbourne, sustained serious head injuries when he was assaulted and thrown over a five-metre high balcony. He died 12 days later.

Mr Mallon and his twin sons, then aged 16, were attacked in Competa near their family holiday home.

A total of 17 people were charged with a range of offences within six months of Mr Mallon’s death but they are still awaiting trial.

And although the Spanish courts allowed Mr Mallon’s body to be repatriated, they ruled the family were not allowed to have access until after the end of the trial.

Now family, including daughter Jennifer and sons Peter and Carl, are calling for action In a statement the family wrote: “The 17th June will mark the four-year anniversary of out dad’s death. There has still be no trial, and as we are unable to get any information from Spanish authorities we still have no way of knowing when or even if there will ever be one.

“Almost four years after his brutal murder by an armed, riotous mob our beloved father lies in a mortuary two minutes from our family home unable to have a funeral due to decisions being made by a Spanish court.

“We have no way of realistically knowing whether if we will ever have the chance to say our final farewell, conducting a decent and respectful funeral for our decent, hardworking, devoted father.”

The statement continued: “It is impossible to describe the impact that our father’s murder has had on our family – no least upon my two brothers who witnessed the murder. But it is even more difficult to explain how the treatment we have suffered at the hands of the Spanish authorities has made us feel.”

Mr Mallon’s children have launched a campaign to spread the word about their plight and call for action. They have a Facebook page called JusticeforSteveMallon and a Twitter page @Justice4SteveM.

A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office confirmed the details of Mr Mallon’s death but said they couldn’t comment further.

Dorset Police confirmed that a family liaison officer from the force is supporting the family. A spokesman added: “Dorset does not have primacy on the case and the trial will be an issue for the Spanish authorities.”