The Second Section of the Provincial High Court of Almería has upheld the convictions against an individual for deliberately damaging his ex-sister-in-law's car and for assaulting her with punches when she caught him committing the vandalism. The events occurred on January 28, 2019, on Olimpiadas street in the municipality of El Ejido.
The accused, motivated by a desire to harm the woman's property, proceeded to make "various scratches" on the car's bodywork. When confronted by the car's owner, the man reacted violently, delivering two punches to her head that caused her to fall to the ground. The attack also caused injuries to the victim's shoulder and knee, and broke her glasses, valued at 350 euros. The vehicle damage was assessed at 2,250 euros.
The Criminal Court No. 1 of Almería had previously sentenced the aggressor to pay fines of 8 and 10 months, at a rate of eight euros per day, for the crimes of assault and damages. The mitigating circumstance of "undue delay" was taken into account due to the case's lengthy resolution. In addition to a two-year restraining order from his ex-sister-in-law, he was ordered to pay compensation to the victim and the car's insurance company.
The convicted man's defense appealed the sentence, requesting acquittal or, alternatively, a reduction of the daily fine from eight to four euros. The Provincial High Court has entirely dismissed these requests, noting that the eight-euro daily rate is already close to the legal minimum and that significantly reducing it could render the punishment "merely symbolic," thus losing its preventive effect, according to Supreme Court doctrine.




