Andorra Couple on Trial for Mutual Domestic Abuse in Phone Struggle Before Kids

A separated couple faced trial at Andorra's Tribunal de Corts over a January 2022 altercation involving a mobile phone dispute that turned physical, with prosecutors requesting an 18-month suspended sentence and €1,000 fine for the woman on charges of illegal eavesdropping and minor domestic abuse, while seeking six months suspended for the man on a domestic abuse count.

The confrontation unfolded on the night of 21 January 2022. The pair, who had split but were discussing reconciliation over dinner, ended up in bed talking about their relationship. The woman said the man proposed marriage that evening and suggested a fidelity test by swapping phones. She found messages and photos suggesting infidelity, took his device to the bathroom to save some content, then returned. She claimed he followed her, pinned her on the bed to retrieve it, and struck her, prompting her to bite his hand in fear before leaving by taxi and seeking treatment for an ear injury.

The man disputed this, saying the relationship was over and she took his phone—left charging on the bedside table—without permission while he was in the bathroom. He acknowledged slapping her and asking her to leave after she bit him, causing a wound that needed care, but denied immobilising her.

A forensic doctor ruled both parties' injuries superficial, requiring no treatment and healing in under 10 days for the man.

In closing arguments, prosecutors dropped a minor injury charge against the man as time-barred but upheld the rest of the case. The woman's defence sought acquittal, arguing no privacy breach since both had phone access. The man's lawyers also requested acquittal, claiming she initiated the jealousy-driven row without consent, and framing his slap as instinctive self-defence against the bite.

A verdict is pending.