15 men stand trial for murder of Brit in Spain
Fifteen Spaniards have gone on trial for the alleged murder of a Scottish father-of-two during a violent bar brawl in the Costa del Sol.
The events which took place in the southern Spanish town of Cómpeta in June 2009 saw 49-year-old Glaswegian Stephen Mallon left in a coma he never woke from, dying 11 days later.
The Malaga court heard how the Scottish holidaymaker and his family and friends were attacked with glass bottles, plant pots, belts and metal poles in a bar brawl some of the defendants claim started after one of deceased man’s sons danced with the girlfriend of one of the defendants.
After receiving the impact of a bottle, Mallon hid on a balcony, before allegedly being pushed over it from a four-metre height by one of the aggressors.
“During the fight, all the defendants attacked the injured Brits with the intention of physically harming them,” Scotland’s Daily Record reported state prosecutor Cecilia Solana as saying.
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The Spanish court also heard that even as Stephen lay unconscious on the ground, the group continued to kick and punch him.
His twin sons Peter and Carl suffered broken bones after being punched and attacked with a sunshade pole.
The accused are claiming they attacked the group in self-defence and that it was Mallon and his family and friends who were eager to fight, as they did so professionally, Spanish radio station Cadena Ser reported on Monday.
“Five were fighting 30 but the Brits wanted it more and more,” defendant Jose Torres told the court.
State prosecutors want José Jiménez, the man who allegedly pushed Mallon over the balcony, sentenced to 12 years in prison. Private prosecutors want him jailed for 15 years.
A second defendant is also facing jail for allegedly assaulting Mallon with a dangerous weapon.
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The events which took place in the southern Spanish town of Cómpeta in June 2009 saw 49-year-old Glaswegian Stephen Mallon left in a coma he never woke from, dying 11 days later.
The Malaga court heard how the Scottish holidaymaker and his family and friends were attacked with glass bottles, plant pots, belts and metal poles in a bar brawl some of the defendants claim started after one of deceased man’s sons danced with the girlfriend of one of the defendants.
After receiving the impact of a bottle, Mallon hid on a balcony, before allegedly being pushed over it from a four-metre height by one of the aggressors.
“During the fight, all the defendants attacked the injured Brits with the intention of physically harming them,” Scotland’s Daily Record reported state prosecutor Cecilia Solana as saying.
Don't miss stories about Spain, join The Local on Facebook and Twitter.
The Spanish court also heard that even as Stephen lay unconscious on the ground, the group continued to kick and punch him.
His twin sons Peter and Carl suffered broken bones after being punched and attacked with a sunshade pole.
The accused are claiming they attacked the group in self-defence and that it was Mallon and his family and friends who were eager to fight, as they did so professionally, Spanish radio station Cadena Ser reported on Monday.
“Five were fighting 30 but the Brits wanted it more and more,” defendant Jose Torres told the court.
State prosecutors want José Jiménez, the man who allegedly pushed Mallon over the balcony, sentenced to 12 years in prison. Private prosecutors want him jailed for 15 years.
A second defendant is also facing jail for allegedly assaulting Mallon with a dangerous weapon.
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