The Spanish Public Prosecution Service (OM) has demanded a 30-year prison sentence against a Dutchman accused of theft with violence and the murder of a 70-year-old British woman in southeastern Spain at the end of 2019.
The 49-year-old accused has been on trial since today in Elche, slightly below Alicante. The process began with the election of members of the citizens’ jury to judge the case, Spanish media reported.
The drama took place on November 16, 2019 in Granja de Rocamora, a village about 23 kilometers south. The Dutchman asked the British who lived alone in the kitchen for 50 euros. When she opened her wallet, he saw 600 euros worth of notes and the pensioner forcibly snatched the money. The 40-year-old jumped the woman, threw her to the floor and kicked and punched her head, chest and neck so hard that she succumbed to her injuries, the indictment said.
The victim was only found 48 hours later by a friend. The British appeared to have broken all her ribs, as well as her sternum and jaw. She also had blood in her skull, due to a rupture of a blood vessel in the brain, as well as a heart injury. The investigation was difficult because there were hardly any traces as the British had opened the door voluntarily.
Abuse of trust
The suspect was eventually arrested on January 9, 2020 in a village slightly further north. A week later, the police also arrested a 33-year-old Spanish accomplice. Both men confessed.
The victim and the alleged killer had known each other for four years. The Dutchman occasionally performed odd jobs for the woman. It involved painting, plumbing and electrical work. She had also lent him money several times. He knew she had cash in the house and would let him in without further ado.
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