Man tried to murder woman by setting her room on fire in Costa del Sol capital of Malaga

THE trial of a man accused of trying to kill a woman squatter by setting her room on fire starts on Friday. 

Prosecutors are asking for the defendant to be jailed for 18 years over the August 2018 incident in Calle Saltire, Malaga.

A prosecutor’s report says that the man had argued with the woman and threatened to set her on fire. Then, when the woman retired to the room she was living in, the defendant fulfilled his promise.  

Around 11.30 pm, the prosecutor says, the victim woke up to hear the defendant at her door. He then lit the lower part of the door, with the fire spreading quickly due to a flammable liquid being used. 

After several attempts, the victim managed to open the latch and leave the room. Disoriented, she tried to leave the house, although she had to be helped by another squatter. 

The Public Prosecutor’s report states that the victim suffered second and third degree burns on 15-18 per cent of her body, affecting the right arm and leg, as well as the abdominal area. 

She needed life-saving treatment under general anaesthesia, then skin grafts and specialist tremaren over the course of 60 days. She has been left with numerous scars. 

The man is charged with attempted murder, with the prosecutor asking that as well as being jailed he should pay compensation of €40,860 to the woman. 

With this account of the facts, the prosecutor considers that the defendant is responsible for a fire crime as well as attempted murder. He also says that in addition to the above-mentioned prison sentence, he requests that the accused not be able to approach or communicate with the victim for 20 years.