A 22-year-old man from Cartagena faced legal proceedings after admitting to actions that included assault against his former partner and harassment. He reportedly claimed responsibility in court for injuring and threatening the woman, actions that occurred in the city where the case originated. Despite a history marked by violent conduct toward women, including a prior conviction, he avoided immediate imprisonment. The prior record cited a moment in which he was found guilty by the Cartagena No. 1 Court of Violence Against Women for injuries inflicted on an ex-partner several years ago.
In a subsequent case, the individual was convicted of sexual assault and received a sentence that included two years in prison, 70 days of community work, and an additional 70-day period of service to benefit society. The court ruled that prison time could be suspended if certain conditions were satisfied: he was to provide his ex-partner with a sum of 5,000 euros; he would cover costs through civil liability; and he would participate in a behavioral retraining program focusing on equality. These terms were set forth by the Third Division of the Murcia County Court.
Proof of the facts was established during an incident at the victim’s home in September 2020 in the port city. It is reported that the accused arrived at the home and found his ex-partner with a classmate. He then demonstrated a domineering attitude and used physical force, striking her in the face and kicking her in the abdomen, according to statements presented in court. Moments later, in the kitchen, he allegedly grabbed her by the neck and pushed her against a wall, dragging her toward a bedroom. This action is said to have caused the victim to fall to the ground, after which the accused struck her on the head with a butane cylinder, leaving her shaken. He is accused of pushing her and attempting to rape her in that moment.
The woman required hospitalization due to various injuries. The detainee was taken into custody and, the following day, remained under supervision at the Court of the Guard before being released, with formal accusations still to be addressed. The case progressed to an oral hearing where the charges were admitted, and the special accusation was withdrawn, with the young man facing the case under the standard criminal process.
The sentence included a five-year suspension of the prison term, with the condition that during those five years the individual must refrain from approaching the victim or committing any new offenses. If he complies with these conditions, the prison sentence will not be executed.
Other Mechanisms
The chamber noted that the functions of prevention and reintegration were pursued without the prison term being executed through private means. The publicly declared aims of the penal system in this case were addressed by other mechanisms deemed more suitable than serving a short prison sentence. It was suggested that positive behavioral changes were sought through ongoing monitoring and programs designed to modify conduct, rather than through incarceration, with enforcement focused on behavioral change and compliance with the program requirements.