Off-duty officer stops domestic violence

AN OFF-DUTY policeman in Mijas was forced to intervene after witnessing an incident of domestic violence.

The officer was having lunch with his family on a restaurant terrace when he witnessed a man violently attack his wife.

Speaking about the incident, the officer said: “I’ve come across situations such as this before, but never off-duty, and never in front of my family.

“Domestic violence within a relationship is something that no couple should have to go through.”

The officer made the arrest of the man at around midday on Saturday whilst enjoying his day off.

The policeman, who is from Malaga but works in Mijas and has over a decade of experience, watched from the terrace of a restaurant as a man began to argue vehemently with his partner, resulting in him slapping her with such force that, according to the officer, the sound resounded throughout the street.

Leaving his family stunned at the lunch table, the officer ran to intervene, gesticulating and shouting at the aggressor. He identified himself as a policeman and kept him at the scene until backup arrived.

In a few minutes that lasted an eternity, the officer tried without success to calm down both the husband and wife. Moments later a Guardia Civil patrol car arrived.

The aggressor, who has a record of similar crimes, has been charged with crimes linked to domestic violence.