Ten residents were convicted today in a case stemming from a violent confrontation with members of the National Police in Son Banya. The defendants admitted the facts and received sentences ranging from six months to a year in prison for offenses including assault, injury, and resistance. Two of the convicted individuals will pay fines instead of serving time. In addition, they were ordered to compensate fellow workers for damages and injuries amounting to 12,800 euros, including compensation for non-pecuniary harm.
The incident occurred when a group of police officers tried to arrest a man known locally as José FT and his grandson, who is referred to as ‘La Paca,’ during a routine stop in Son Banya. The authorities had several legal claims weighing on the individuals involved, with multiple counts that could have led to prison terms. Officers stopped the suspect as he moved toward Son Banya, seeking to escape with the assistance of a larger crowd from the neighborhood.
Approximately seventy neighbors gathered around the scene, forming a barrier to hinder the arrest of the man known as ‘El Nano’ and to facilitate his escape. The ten individuals who confronted the police were accused of throwing stones at patrol cars and of administering pushes, kicks, and punches. At one point, the grandson of ‘La Paca’ allegedly bit the arm of a pursuing officer, an act witnessed by others at the scene. The officers eventually removed him from the vicinity and placed him into a police vehicle.
The disturbance prompted the police to request reinforcements, and about half a dozen patrol units were dispatched to the area to support the ongoing operation in Son Banya. The arrival of additional officers contributed to a stampede, prompting both the main subject and many supporters to disperse and seek refuge inside nearby residences.
Three officers sustained injuries described as bruises, scratches, and bite marks. They received medical attention at a local health facility and were estimated to require about a week to recover. In the days that followed, law enforcement conducted a broader operation to identify and arrest the remaining participants in the assault. By four days after the incident, the primary suspect was apprehended in Son Banya, with a subsequent wave of arrests of other individuals linked to the attack taking place over the ensuing weeks.
Initially, prosecutors sought strong penalties for both main defendants, including four years of imprisonment for each. Following negotiations between the Criminal Department’s counsel and the Public Prosecution Service, the sentences were adjusted and announced in the latest court session. The private prosecutor representing the United Police Association (SUP) and the defense team comprised David Salvá, Catalina Pou, and Patricia Barreales, among others. In the final agreement, two defendants paid fines while eight others received prison terms ranging from six months to one year. The court also suspended these prison sentences for a two-year period, subject to standard conditions.
Throughout the proceedings, statements were made to reflect the balance between upholding public safety and ensuring fair treatment for those involved. The outcome aligns with the legal framework that governs public order offenses and the penalties appropriate for assaults against law enforcement personnel in similar circumstances. The case, documented by official police and court records, illustrates the dynamics of crowd involvement in a policing operation and the subsequent judicial handling of related charges, including the consideration of suspended sentences when appropriate under the applicable laws.