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An emaciated British teenager has been discovered in Spain after allegedly being kept prisoner in his bedroom for two years.

The 19-year-old was found in the house with bars on the windows weighing just over six stone and was carried out of the house by police in a blanket.

Officers said he was suffering from malnutrition and his father has been charged with illegal detention and ill-treatment in the family.

The man, who is of Indian decent but reportedly has British citizenship, was only freed after he sent an email to police begging them to raid the home in the Rivas Vaciamadrid district of Madrid.

(Image: CIVIL GUARD/NATIONAL POLICE) (Image: CIVIL GUARD/NATIONAL POLICE)

According to local reports, it said: “Rescue. Assistance. Help me. I am desperate.

"My father abuses me. I am held prisoner. Please, do not get in touch with me because he would kill me.”

A police spokesman said: “When officers entered the house, they found the boy with severe physical symptoms and extremely thin.

“He was disoriented and suffered physical injuries from the beatings he had received from his father.”

Police released images showing the rubbish-strewn house which neighbours said was infested with rats and cockroaches.

(Image: CIVIL GUARD/NATIONAL POLICE) (Image: CIVIL GUARD/NATIONAL POLICE)

The teenager was taken to a hospital where he underwent a thorough health examination. He is now living with his mother and sisters.

The father, who has not been named, reportedly claimed neighbours were trying to poison them through the water system and that he was being targeted by the Russian mafia.

He has since been released on bail.