A FORMER Suffolk businessman is still in a serious condition in hospital after being repeatedly shot by armed robbers raiding his Spanish home.Brian Cowan, 61, is believed to have been shot three times when he was confronted by a gang of four men, thought to be of eastern European origin, in his villa in Alhaurin el Grande, on the Costa del Sol.

A FORMER Suffolk businessman is still in a serious condition in hospital after being repeatedly shot by armed robbers raiding his Spanish home.

Brian Cowan, 61, is believed to have been shot three times when he was confronted by a gang of four men, thought to be of eastern European origin, in his villa in Alhaurin el Grande, on the Costa del Sol.

The former haulage boss, who lived in Felixstowe before moving to the resort, popular with expatriates, is now in intensive care in a hospital in Malaga with serious injuries, including a wound to his abdomen. It is believed his condition is improving.

It is understood doctors have removed the three bullets, although Mr Cowan is expected to remain unconscious for at least 10 more days.

A Spanish police spokesman said: “He saw them and confronted them, then they shot him. They also hit his wife with a gun. They took some jewellery and a bracelet.”

Police are understood to be investigating the crime alongside a spate of robberies in the area over the last few months, where homeowners have been threatened.

A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said the Spanish consulate was aware of the incident but the family had not requested any assistance.

He said the investigation of the crime was a matter for the local authorities.

“We are not directly involved but we stand ready to offer appropriate assistance. We have made contact with the hospital,” he said.

Mr Cowan's wife Linda, 56, who was struck in the head by the attackers, needed stitches after the incident in the early hours of Wednesday .

She raised the alarm with the emergency services and Mr Cowan was taken to the University Hospital, in Malaga, where he was put through major surgery.

The gunmen fled the scene in a vehicle parked outside with the items they had stolen, including a Rolex watch and gold chain.

Joy Last, Mrs Cowan's stepsister, from Kelsale, near Saxmundham, expressed her concern after hearing of the incident.

She said: “I felt so sad about it all. You never think these sorts of things are happening to your own family.

“I was shocked to hear about it and still am. They went to live out in Spain. Brian has always had a holiday place there.

“It sounds dreadful. I do not know if I would settle again. I just hope Brian recovers. We send them our best wishes.”