By David Eade – Costa del Sol News
The 17-year-old youth arrested over the murder of María Esther Jiménez Villegas in Arriate in January has declared his innocence before the prosecutor of minors in Málaga. The 13-year-old victim was found in a swimming pool pump house behind the village just 24 hours after her disappearance on January 19 and had been brutally murdered by a violent blow to the head.
The lawyer for María Esther’s family, Bárbara Royo, said the youth had not admitted to the crime as he believes there is insufficient evidence to prove his guilt. She added he had refused to answer any questions and maintains he shouldn’t even stand trial let alone be convicted.
However Royo went to on to state that the biological evidence gathered by the Guardia Civil “in this case is very clear” and it has not been necessary to request more tests at this stage of the court process. In the lawyer’s opinion there has been no problems with the investigation, all is clear even if the youth declares his innocence.
During the testimony the 17-year-old complained about his treatment in detention but the family’s lawyer said this was just a ploy by his defence lawyer to discredit the investigation.
The accused was arrested in Arriate just two weeks after María Esther’s murder. Investigators found her blood on a sport’s shoe belonging to the youth after they search the house where he lived with his family. The Guardia Civil arrested him after DNA tests also linked him with the crime.
The Málaga youth court ordered the accused’s detention in February and he can be held at a centre for six months. It is possible for that to be extended by three months but after that period he must be released.
The parents of María Esther had moved to Arriate to seek work. They have now left the village and returned to Paterna de la Rivera in Cádiz province in an attempt to restart their lives.
LESS DEBT
According to a ministry of the economy report on the level of debt at Spain’s town halls Ronda in 2010 owed 13.418 million euros which is 4.1 million euros less than in the previous year. This makes Ronda proportionally the least indebted town hall in Málaga province. However back in 2008 the debt stood at 18,871 making Ronda the most indebted after Benelmádena.
MARIPAZ MAYOR
If all goes to plan on Saturday Maripaz Fernández will be the PP mayor of Ronda. Her party have pacted with the Partido Andalucista; its leader Isabel Barriga will be deputy mayor. PP take the key posts but it is a return to power for the PA which controlled the last administration before the mayor and eight councillors defected to PSOE.
KNIFE ATTACK
A man aged between 40 and 50 caused alarm at Ronda’s Sur health centre when he threatened a doctor with a knife last Tuesday morning. He shouted insults at staff and patients fled to the reception area. Police soon arrived, the man was tranquilised and after being taken to the emergency unit at Ronda’s hospital was transferred to the Málaga mental illness unit.
HOME GROWN
The National Police have raided a house in Ronda and arrested a 21-year-old woman and 27-year-old man both of whom are accused of growing marihuana on the premises. The couple had set up a nursery to cultivate the illegal plants with heat lamps, thermostats and pump driven ventilation systems. Officers confiscated ten plants and seeds which have been destroyed by the health authority.
NO HANDICAP
Montejaque has put into effect the first guided walks for handicapped people. This is the first initiative of its kind in Europe and allows those with various physical handicaps to enjoy the walking experiences for which Montejaque is internationally famous. They can now experience the Serranía de Ronda and Grazalema national park taking the route to La Raspa which is 900 metres high.
WATER AWARD
The Plataforma Cueveña del Agua has been awarded the Dragona Iberia 2011 prize by a foundation dedicated to promoting a new culture in guarding and using water resources. The Cuevas del Becerro action group works to defend the valuable water aquifers in the Sierra de Morinos, Carrasco and Bobollón which are under threat from urban and golf developments in the Serranía de Ronda.
HOW MANY
The Partido Popular has reported irregularities in the electoral census in Atajate, Málaga province’s smallest municipality. The party’s candidate Julio Sánchez says at the 2009 European elections the number of voters was 127 but this rose to 157 in May adding such an increase is rare amongst so few residents. He suspects voter fraud with votes going to ruined houses and non-existent properties.
CLASSIC RALLY
Lovers and owners of vintage cars and motorbikes should head for Benalauría on Sunday when the municipality in the lower Genal valley holds its first rally. Participants have to enrol between 9 and 11 then set off for the Mirador del Genal in neighbouring Algatocín. Details of the events and how to get to Benalauría can be found on the town hall’s website.
TEACHER ASSAULT
The 19-year-old boyfriend of a 17-year-old pupil at the Martín Rivero school in Ronda attacked her teacher in an access way to the educational centre at 8.00 on Friday. The youth pushed the teacher to the ground inflicting light injuries. The incident was reported to the National Police who arrested the lad from Pontevedra. The attack is said to have been education related.
NIGHT SHOPPING
Ronda’s calle Nueva is to open on selected Friday nights over the summer months in an effort to beat the economic crisis. Many people pass through the central street to shop in the Carrera Espinel known as La Bola. However there are bars, restaurants, shops, hotels in the calle Nueva and traders say whilst tourists shop there currently the people of Ronda don’t.
BLUE MOVIE
The normally white village of Júzcar in the Serranía de Ronda has turned blue. The media giant Sony is to blame as it has selected Júzcar as being the most like the Pueblo Pitufo featured in the movie for its world wide publicity campaign. The film Los Pitufos 3D launches in the USA on August 3 and here in Spain two days later.
PENSIONER ALERT
The local police in Ronda have alerted the elderly to take a family member with them when they go to collect their pension from the bank or cash machine. This follows a recent attack and robbery on a vulnerable pensioner. The police say such small robberies are the most common in the town and tourists should also be alert when using cash machines.
