In Malaga, a man identified as David Leo faces a potential one-year prison sentence after the Public Ministry requested such punishment in connection with alleged gender-based violence. He is also charged with a minor insult and a related nuisance offense tied to the same case. The prosecution’s filing was reported by Público on a Friday.
The central context centers on a complaint filed by the Public Ministry with the 12th High Criminal Court of Malaga on March 6. According to the indictment, at about 6:00 a.m. on February 25, David Leo is said to have thrown a towel soaked in water at his partner during an incident at a Valencia hotel. The alleged act aimed to undermine the partner’s moral integrity, while the partner herself is said to have directed insults toward him in return.
Three days later, February 28, the couple was staying at a hotel in Santiago de Compostela. The indictment alleges that Leo acted with the intention of injuring his partner’s bodily integrity, during which he allegedly placed a cigarette against her face, engaged in a struggle, kicked her, and allowed the cigarette to fall to the ground. The report notes that the events were witnessed in the context of ongoing testimony and investigation.
Beyond the request for one year of imprisonment for the offense of injuring in the field of sexist violence, the Public Ministry seeks a restraining order of 800 meters, a three-year prohibition on communicating with the victim, and related seriation of charges that include mild harassment. The proposed penalties include a four-month fine with a daily rate of 18 euros, plus compensation of 400 euros to the victim.
The case record describes injuries such as a left pretibial hematoma measuring five centimeters in diameter, a burn crust at the corner of the lips, abrasion on the left shoulder blade, and pain behind the left occipital region. The involved party is said to be receiving psychological treatment, and the complaint indicates a pattern of insults and humiliation across the relationship. An oral hearing was scheduled for early April 2024 as part of the ongoing proceedings.
The proceedings reflect an ongoing investigation into alleged gender-based violence, as prosecutors pursue both injury-based charges and related conduct concerns. The defense has not been described in detail within the provided material, while the broader legal framework in Spain addresses cases of gender violence through specialized procedures and protective measures for victims. The sequence of events, dates, and medical notes appear in the indictment and accompanying statements, forming the basis for the court’s assessment and any subsequent rulings.
As with many cases of this nature, the outcome rests on the interpretation of the evidence, the credibility of testimonies, and the application of relevant statutes relating to violence in intimate relationships. The court is expected to examine whether the accused’s actions meet the criteria for injuring behavior under gender violence provisions and whether the penalties and protective orders align with established legal standards. The proceedings continue to unfold under the jurisdiction of Malaga’s high criminal court, with forthcoming determinations to be issued in the appropriate legal timeframe.