A British holidaymaker's dream getaway turned into a painful ordeal after he was allegedly assaulted by a member of the hotel's entertainment team, leaving him needing surgery and securing a five-figure compensation payout.
An Unprovoked Attack by the Pool
Ryan Mendelson, from Manchester, was on a two-week package holiday with Tui at the Hotel RIU Touareg in Cape Verde. The incident occurred just days before he was due to return home. Ryan was standing by the pool bar chatting to other guests when, without warning, a staff member approached him from behind.
"He came behind me and kneed me in the back of the knee," Ryan recounted. "I felt my knee click, twist and go out of place, and I fell to the floor like a sack of potatoes. I was in a state of shock and couldn't move." He described the act as an "unprovoked assault," stressing he had no prior interaction or 'banter' with the employee.
A Costly and Traumatic Ordeal
Other guests rushed to help, pouring water on him to keep him cool while a wheelchair was found. Ryan's mother was reportedly distraught, and he criticised the lack of first-aiders or helpful hotel staff around the pool. The staff member involved was forced to take him to reception himself.
Ryan was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, where he received an X-ray and a knee injection, costing him 86 Euros. The troubles escalated when the hotel initially demanded payment for an extra night's stay. Ryan's mother threatened to contact global media, after which the bill was settled.
The family missed their original flight home, a experience Ryan called "soul-destroying." He had to book two extra seats on a new flight and wear a leg brace. Back in the UK, an MRI scan revealed a torn medial patellogemoral ligament, which required surgery.
Legal Victory and Lasting Impact
Ryan sought legal help from Hudgell Solicitors. Paul Rimmer, an accident abroad specialist on the case, called it an "extraordinary case" and "tantamount to a physical assault." He condemned the hotel's initial demand for payment and Tui's "sluggish" and "substandard" response to the crisis.
Ryan has now been awarded £18,000 in compensation. However, he says his knee is "still not 100 per cent" and he suffers occasional pain, especially in cold weather. He also sees a therapist weekly to deal with the mental impact.
Ryan urged hotel entertainment teams to respect boundaries, stating: "Animation teams are always over-friendly... but this was something completely different and totally unacceptable."
When contacted, a spokesperson for RIU Hotels & Resorts expressed regret, calling the incident a "misguided attempt at a playful interaction" and confirming the matter had been settled. Tui was also contacted for comment.
Legal experts warn this case highlights a worrying trend of major travel firms failing to provide adequate support when holidays go wrong, advising affected holidaymakers to seek expert legal advice.
