The Alicante Court has sentenced the man who fatally wounded his partner’s ex-partner in Villena to fifteen years in prison for murder, as per judicial sources. The defendant was scheduled to be sworn in by a popular tribunal; however, the trial was postponed due to a plea bargain. The defendant entered a guilty plea to the crime he committed on July 6th, 2023, during the hearing.

A brief pursuit led to the accused’s apprehending a few hours later. He had driven his vehicle into the western area of the Port of Alicante and broken through the access gate. The suspect subsequently left the port area once more and proceeded towards the fishing basin. He abandoned the vehicle and proceeded to flee on foot following another collision. Officers from the Fiscal and Border Unit of the Alicante Police apprehended him a few minutes later. In addition to the homicide, the defendant will face prosecution for road safety violations. According to sources familiar with the case, the defendant was evidently under the influence of alcohol when the automobile incident occurred on the premises. The defendant had been in pretrial detention since his apprehension for these events at the Port of Alicante.

Approximately 2:00 p.m. on July 6th, 2023, the deceased was murdered at his residence in the San Francisco neighbourhood of “El Poblao.” The detainee entered the residence of his current partner’s ex-husband and began to violently beat on the door in an attempt to compel her to open it. The attacker promptly stabbed the victim, a 42-year-old mechanic by profession, at least three times before fleeing. The victim opened the door. The offence was motivated by jealousy, as evidenced by all available information. It appears that the woman was present at the site when the events took place.

No potential for defence

At the time, the defendant maintained that he was merely attempting to protect himself from a subsequent attack by the victim, who had previously assaulted him with a knife. The indictment has been admitted, thereby refuting this version. The Prosecutor’s Office and the private prosecution both charged him with premeditated murder, contending that the stabbings occurred unexpectedly and without the victim having the opportunity to defend herself. The fatal stabbings prevented the dispatched medical personnel from saving her life.

The Alicante Court has successfully concluded the second plea bargain trial with a jury in less than a week. Another individual pleaded guilty before the weekend to the charge of fatally beating a homeless man with a boulder in a homeless settlement in Tossal de Alicante. He was subsequently sentenced to eleven years in prison. These plea bargains are permissible under the new Law on the Efficiency of Justice, irrespective of the defendant’s sentence. Prior to the reform, the law prohibited plea bargains and required a trial if the requested sentence exceeded six years in prison.

The Smoke-Free Beach flag will be displayed on the 13 beaches in the municipality to increase awareness among users about the importance of respecting the environment, others, and their health while visiting the beaches.

Villajoyosa’s 13 beaches and harbours have been integrated into the Valencian Community’s Smoke-Free Beaches network. The Villajoyosa City Council has requested this membership from the Health Department once again, as explained by Health Councillor Maite Sánchez. The goal is to create healthy environments for citizens, protecting them from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke and its residues.

Consequently, the Smoke-Free Beach flag will be displayed on the beaches of Bol Nou, Carritxal, Centre, Estudiants, L’Esparrelló, La Caleta, Paradís, Puntes del Moro, Racó del Conill, Tio Roig, Torres, Varadero, and Xarco. This flag’s distinctive indication encourages the practice of refraining from smoking on beaches.

Furthermore, we will implement citizen awareness initiatives and informational campaigns regarding environmental protection and tobacco consumption. Sánchez clarified that the aim of this initiative is to promote reverence for the environment, personal well-being, and the health of others. The objective is to transform these spaces into a more environmentally friendly and healthy tourist destination, as tobacco harms the health of bathers and degrades the state of the sand and water, in addition to creating a negative image of the environment.

The mediaeval market, which will be inaugurated in conjunction with Holy Week on Thursday, April 17th, at 5:00 p.m., is the first of the thematic markets that the Department of Festivals in Santa Pola intends to expand in the vicinity of the Fortress Castle.

A new phase of this tourist attraction has commenced with the assistance of a specialised company, La Fragua de Vulcano. During these festive days, it provides tourists and residents with an intriguing leisure alternative within the Castle’s unparalleled setting.

In addition to the artisan and merchant stalls, a diverse array of activities will be conducted over the course of five days, such as musical entertainment, minstrelsy, circus performances, workshops, storytelling, and more.

The market is open from 11 a.m. to late at night, with the exception of Holy Week processions, during which the music and performances will be interrupted.

PROGRAMME

THURSDAY, APRIL 17th
17:00 – Opening of the medieval market
18:00 – Proclamation and opening musical parade. Welcome!
19:30 – Musical entertainment in the market
20:00 – Duendeando. A very funny character
21:00 – Medieval music parade
21:45 – On fire. Fire show

FRIDAY, APRIL 18th
11:00 – Opening of the medieval market
12:00 – Laughter and smiles. Medieval character
12:30 – Musical parade
13:00 – Medieval music in the streets
13:30 – The Juggling Jester
14:00 – The minstrels of music
18:00 – Musical parade
18:30 – Arrived from the East
20:00 – The minstrels of music
20:30 – The balance is in the street. Circus show
21:30 – Musical entertainment in the market
22:00 – Fire in the market!

SATURDAY, APRIL 19th
11:00 – Opening of the medieval market
11:30 – Viking Make-Up Workshop
12:00 – The Blind Pilgrim
12:30 – Musical parade
13:00 – Participatory children’s storytelling
13:30 – The Funny Minstrel of the Times
14:00 – Music and dance in the market
18:00 – Parades, music and dance
18:00 – Duendeando. Medieval character
18:30 – Participatory medieval dance workshop
19:00 – Musical entertainment in the market
19:30 – The comedian is on the loose
20:30 – Music and percussion workshop
21:00 – The minstrels of music
21:30 – Musical entertainment in the market
21:30 – On fire. Fire show

SUNDAY, APRIL 20th
11:00 – Opening of the medieval market
12:00 – Participatory workshop on medieval dances
12:30 – Duendeando. Medieval character
13:30 – Musical parade
14:00 – Participatory children’s theatre
18:00 – The comedian is on the loose
18:30 – Music and dance in the market
19:30 – Musical entertainment in the market
20:30 – Participatory Viking Runes Workshop
21:00 – The Cleric
21:30 – Participatory children’s storytelling
21:30 – Musical parade
21:30 – The Funny Minstrel of the Times
23:00 – Parades, music and dance
23:00 – Musical entertainment in the market
23:00 – Fire in the streets

MONDAY, APRIL 21st
11:00 – Opening of the medieval market
12:00 – The Cleric
12:30 – Musical parade
13:30 – The comedian is on the loose
14:00 – The minstrels of music
18:00 – Musical entertainment in the market
18:30 – Duendeando. Medieval character
19:30 – Musical parade
20:30 – The Funny Minstrel of the Times
21:00 – The minstrels of music
21:30 – Musical entertainment in the market
21:30 – Fire in the streets
23:00 – The market bids farewell until next year

See Santa Pola Tourist Website for more information https://www.turismosantapola.es/stp/web_php/index.php?contenido=esdeveniments_coconut&idEsdev=1317&title=mercado-medieval-santa-pola-2025&lang=4

The location of the castle in Santa Pola is here: