By David Eade – Costa del Sol News
The German businessman who fronts the company that owns the historic Casa del Rey Moro in Ronda has started work to prevent the deterioration of the property. Jochen Knie has commissioned urgent works to ensure the passage of time does not take any further toll on the palace overlooking the Cornisas del Tajo.
The building dates from the 18 th century and the initial work is being carried out on the roof and walls to ensure the winter rains do not filter in to the structure. The project has the approval of the Andalucía government and 2.5 million euros will be spent in the various phases of the scheme.
A company that specialises in conserving old buildings and wooden structures is carrying out the project. Four people will be engaged in protecting the ornamental features such as the cornices. As part of the first phase a survey is being carried out to determine what needs to be done in the latter stages.
It is intended that the Casa del Rey Moro will become a five-star hotel although the owners are looking at other possible uses. It could be the embolic building will be used for events, meetings and reunions.
Knie says his company wants people to be able to visit the palace. Curiously it sits alongside and above Los Jardines de Forrestier and La Mina that was excavated from the rock below. The complex is one of the main monuments in Ronda but whilst the gardens and La Mina have been protected as being of cultural interest since 1943 the building has no protection what-so-ever.
EIGHT YEARS FOR KILLING MARTA
The trial of the youth who was alleged to have murdered María Esther Jiménez in Arriate at the end of January is over. The Málaga youth court has handed down a guilty verdict. He has been sentenced to eight years of internment and a further five years of supervised freedom. The local lad also has to pay the girl’s family 220,000 euros in compensation.
The trial behind closed doors started on November 2 and over five sessions the prosecution and defence gave their evidence. The prosecutor and the lawyer representing the family of the murdered girl demanded the maximum sentence for a minor and that is what the judge gave them.
The father of the victim, Juan Jiménez, said they were content with the judgement and believed their own lawyer and the prosecutor had done a good job. He added he was always confident that they would produce this result.
The lawyer acting for the family said the court had taken in to account the findings of the DNA tests, the results of the post mortem, the statement from witnesses and the physiological reports on the accused. The judgement against the youth is not yet firm as the defence can lodge an appeal with the Málaga Court but the family’s lawyer is in no doubt the correct decision has been reached.
The accused had insisted on his innocence and the defence lawyer had asked he be released without trial questioning the whether the investigation had been handled correctly. He had been held for the maximum period in detention of nine months and was released for the trial in to supervised care.
