Charles Stabler, 65, never woke from a coma after being hit around the head last month.

The burglar, who escaped with just two mobile phones and 30 euros (£27) in cash, fled after ransacking the apartment and setting it on fire.

He left Mr Stabler unconscious on the floor as flames took hold around him.

A neighbour called emergency services after seeing smoke coming from the flat, in the seaside resort of Benalmadena.

Police have arrested a 44-year-old Spaniard and he is being held in custody.

He is thought to have followed Mr Stabler home from a local bar and forced his way in at around midnight on April 9.

Mr Stabler spent three weeks in a coma in intensive care at the Carlos Haya hospital in Malaga.

A spokeswoman for the hospital said: “Unfortunately Mr Stabler passed away in the intensive care unit on Friday.”

An investigating judge will rule on whether the suspect should face trial. (Via Telegraph)