Girona man gets 19 years for burning wife alive

A man has been sentenced to 19 years in prison for burning his pregnant wife alive in 2006 in Girona.

He had been acquitted for lack of evidence in 2009.

In October 2006, the man doused his wife, aged 30 and three months pregnant at the time, in petrol, and set fire to her.

The judge considers he was completely aware of what he was doing and chose to set fire to her to increase her suffering, rather than killing her with a knife or gun.

He was also aware that the unborn baby would die.

The jury considered that he also endangered the lives of the rest of the people in the building which was damaged.

His defence was asking for 10 years and nine months in prison once the guilty verdict had been given.

He must pay €16,000 in compensation to the victim’s mother and €126,500 to each of her three children.

He may face extra prison time for attacking the public prosecutor when he heard the verdict, insulting him and accusing him of ruining his life.