Husband jailed for threats to kill ex-wife

5 December 2003

LEIDA – A husband was jailed Friday for five-and-a-half years and fined EUR 600 for kidnapping and threatening to kill his ex-wife.

The man, who was not named, was also ordered to pay his former wife an indemnity of EUR 5,094 by the court in Leida.

Domestic violence has become a major political issue in Spain.

The government recently pledged to remove the “plague” of violence between couples. Sixty-four wives have been murdered by their husbands this year alone, compared with 51 last year.

The court was told that the accused threatened his ex-wife with a knife when she told him she was leaving him last February.

He then subjected her to a series of threats and harrassing phone calls. He would also follow her around.

On May 25, when the former husband brought their daughter back to stay with his ex-wife, an argument started.

She claimed he was not following his agreed visiting hours.

The row deteriorated when the man started punching and kicking his former wife.

He then stayed in the house so she could not leave, only allowing her to give their daughter dinner and put her to bed.

Then he pressed a pillow against the woman’s head and threatened to kill her. The man also said he would kill himself.

Afterwards, he tied up her hands, gagged her and put a knife to her throat.

He left her in the room but when he returned he told his ex-wife he had killed their daughter- but later assured her the girl was unharmed.

The man then untied the woman and cut her on the wrist and abdomen.

The court rejected all the man’s pleas for leniency and banned him from seeing his ex-wife and daughter for five years.

[Copyright EFE with Expatica]

Subject: Spanish news