BURGLARS who broke into a house in Mondéjar (Guadalajara) yesterday are thought to have beaten the owner to death.   

The victim, a well-know local businessman of 57 years of age, lived with his 80-year-old mother, who was shut in a room by a gang of masked intruders.

She called the Guardia Civil, who found her son dead in another room.

Although the elderly lady believes the burglars killed him with their beatings, police have not ruled out that he may have suffered a heart attack as a result of the shock.

The deceased, who was single, is said to have been partially disabled and walked with a limp.

He ran a chain of furniture shops in the town, and had around 15 to 20 employees.

As a result of the tragedy, police say they intend to up vigilance in the town, which has 2,000 inhabitants.