Andorran Tribunal Hears Domestic Abuse, Pizza Theft, and Crash Cases; Reviews Minors' Assault Appeal

The Andorran Tribunal de Corts has heard cases involving mutual domestic abuse allegations between a La Massana ex-couple, a pizza theft dispute in Arinsal, and a high-speed crash in the Tàpia tunnel near Sant Julià de Lòria. Separately, the Tribunal Superior reviewed an appeal in a sexual assault conviction against three minors.

In the domestic abuse hearing, prosecutors detailed conflicting accounts from an ex-couple who shared a 20-year relationship, including 10 years of marriage and two children, but continued living together for financial reasons after separating. Tensions boiled over on the morning of 21 October 2024 when the woman, frustrated by internet access issues on a connection in the man's name, entered his bedroom around 11am. She described him striking her arm or phone—cracking its case and screen protector—hitting her face with a towel, spitting at her, insulting her, grabbing her neck, and damaging her belongings, amid claims of repeated violence tied to his alcohol use and suspected infidelity. He maintained that he punched a wall after she refused to leave, leading to mutual blows in self-defense as they fell, while denying any pattern of abuse or heavy drinking. Neither attended the trial, resulting in procedural rebellion charges.

Police witnesses confirmed intervention reports and the children's brief placement at the CRAE reception centre, though they recalled few injury details. Forensic evidence showed lesions consistent with mutual scuffles or an initial violent act, with no major neck trauma on the woman. Prosecutors rejected self-defense claims, pursuing 12 months' conditional prison and one month of conditional nighttime arrest for the man, and eight months' conditional prison plus one month for the woman, on charges of ongoing minor domestic abuse and intentional injuries. The man's defense described an isolated incident with valid self-defense and sought acquittal, noting stable statements and limited forensic findings. The woman's lawyers highlighted prior violence, physical disparities, a social services report on psychological, economic, physical, and environmental gender violence indicators, her persistent fear, and psychological effects, also requesting her acquittal. No civil claims were filed. A ruling is pending.

Prosecutors in the June 2023 Arinsal case accused a woman of confronting a delivery rider around 10pm while he located an address. He alleged immediate verbal abuse, her shoving his motorbike—causing her to fall and damaging it—grabbing his backpack, and taking a pizza over delay complaints. She claimed over €1,700 in repairs, €720 lost income, and €200 rental costs. Officers noted her uncooperativeness, aggression, refusal to identify, slamming a door into an agent, kicking, shoving police, requiring restraint and handcuffs, and continued insults. Footage reportedly captured her grabbing the pizza. Prosecutors deemed her response excessive, seeking up to two months' conditional nighttime arrest and over €2,000 in joint civil liability. The defense disputed damage links, rider conduct and evidence, her extended presence without orders, excessive police force against a young woman, and argued attitude alone is not criminal, requesting dismissal.

The 7 December 2017 Tàpia tunnel incident involved a driver hurrying to work by 9am with two passengers toward Spain. With 10 minutes to spare, she allegedly reached 85-95 km/h in a 60 km/h zone, lost control during a left-lane descent overtake, crossed lanes, and hit a wall, injuring herself, passengers, and an oncoming driver. Police emphasized speed as primary, estimating ~90 km/h from video, timing, and distance; conditions were dry with late braking, cold asphalt, and tyres over five years old. One officer said control was possible at 60 km/h. Prosecutors seek three months' conditional house arrest and nine months' licence suspension for serious imprudent injuries. The defense contested negligence severity, citing no direct speed data, off-site estimates, passengers' 60-70 km/h estimates, legal manoeuvre, no substances, ITV-approved tyres, corrective actions, low temperatures, possible slipperiness, and one loose seatbelt worsening injuries. A vehicle expert confirmed roadworthiness. No civil claims remain, with waivers handling CASS payments. Acquittal was requested.

In a closed Tribunal Superior appeal, a 23- or 24-year-old man, imprisoned for two years following a family complaint, challenged his nine-year sentence for two major sexual assaults and one rape against three minors, plus €33,000 compensation. Original prosecutor demands were 13 years, private accusers 24 for two victims; the court reduced it. Prosecutors now seek 11 years, private prosecution 16, rejecting full mental exculpation despite partial factors, confirming awareness, accepting a youth mitigator for one count, but disputing simulation. Private lawyers underscored prevalence, age differences (him 21-22, victims including 14-year-olds), manipulation, challenged Conava assessments, and pushed higher compensation like €16,000 and €25,000 for two victims. The defense pursued acquittal for weak evidence, or full exculpation via autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, 61% psychiatric deficit, and mental age ~10 precluding illegality awareness; alternatively, under nine years. Decisions are pending.