British Nan Locked in Cell with Men After Passport Disappears

A family's dream holiday to Spain turned into a harrowing ordeal for a 77-year-old British grandmother who was allegedly detained in a prison cell with men and then deported after losing her passport on a flight.

Pam Tweedale, a retired cashier from Portsmouth, was embarking on a long-awaited trip to Madrid with 13 family members, a holiday planned to lift her spirits after the death of her husband, Allan. The excitement quickly evaporated upon landing when she realized her passport was missing. Her daughter, Sharon Mann, 56, and Sharon's partner, Emily Mann, 48, believe the passport slipped from her bag and fell under the seat during the Iberia Airlines flight from London Gatwick on August 16.

The family's frantic search for the passport at the airport proved fruitless. After being directed to airport police, the situation escalated dramatically. Sharon claims that she and her mother were detained overnight and held in a cell. The family says they were told Pam would be held until the British embassy could process paperwork, a wait that could have lasted several days.

"They took our phones and my passport. We were put in a cell with about 12 people who didn't speak English, including men, and they switched the lights off at 10:30 pm," Sharon alleged. "It was like an old fashioned prison with metal bunk beds. I didn't know if I was in there with murderers. It was freezing, and we just had a flimsy sheet."

According to the family, Pam, who has recently had gallbladder surgery and suffers from asthma, was denied access to her medication and went without food or water until they landed back in the UK the next day. Sharon alleges they were forced to sign Spanish-language forms they couldn't understand and were advised against complaining to avoid further delays. They were then escorted onto a plane back to London "like criminals," a journey during which Pam reportedly had a medical episode.

The traumatic incident cut the holiday short for Pam, who was forced to return home. Sharon paid an additional £200 to fly back to Spain to join the family, who had already spent £500 each on their return flights, and another £300 to fly back with them the following week.

Emily Mann said the experience has left Pam "traumatised." "She's been really confused, emotional, panicky, depressed, and doesn't want to go out," Emily said. "We really wanted to give Pam a holiday to remember... We felt that we'd let her down and Pam felt like it was her fault."

The family's attempt to create cherished memories turned into a nightmare they won't soon forget, raising questions about the treatment of vulnerable individuals in international travel situations. The Mirror has contacted Iberia Airlines and the Spanish authorities for comment.