PAIN IN SPAIN Inside the bloody gang wars plaguing the Costa del Sol where thugs dish out ‘medieval’ torture and ‘Glasgow smiles’

WITH glistening beaches, swanky bars and a stream of glamorous celebs, the Costa del Sol looks every bit the holiday dream - but under that sunny exterior lies a dark underbelly of violence and bloody gang wars.

From brutal shootings, to planned executions and "Medieval" torture methods, gangs from across the world are carving up the popular holiday destination by 'settling scores' in a constant battle to the top.

Last Tuesday, a British man was treated in A&E in Marbella after being shot four times in the legs, with well-placed sources saying it was a possible settling of scores between gangs.

That came a week after six Brits were held after a bar stabbing in Mijas Costa in which a man was left with his “guts hanging out”.

And earlier today, a maniac "with a machine gun" was shot dead by cops in broad daylight in the Spanish resort town.

It's sparked fears that the brutal turf wars that have plagued the area for years could be on the rise again, as Spain begins to lift lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Past attacks, most of which are sparked over drugs, have seen people gunned down in their own garages, 'kneecapped' and even given a 'Glasgow smile' - also known as a Chelsea smile - which sees victims cut from the corners of their mouth up to the ears.