Nine-Year Prison Sentence for Arson in La Vila Joiosa

The Alicante Court has convicted a man for setting multiple fires that endangered people's physical integrity.

Generic image of emergency lights reflected on wet asphalt at night.
IA

Generic image of emergency lights reflected on wet asphalt at night.

A man has been sentenced to nine years in prison by the Seventh Section of the Provincial Court of Alicante, after being found guilty of causing a series of intentional fires in La Vila Joiosa between 2023 and 2024, which caused damage and endangered the lives of several individuals.

The sentence states that the convicted individual started several fires at different points in the municipality. Among the proven incidents, an arson attack on cypress trees in a residential complex in November 2023 is included, as well as four more outbreaks in January 2024, affecting a container, furniture from the bar La Placeta, other cypress trees, and a semi-abandoned premises.
Evidence presented during the trial included security camera footage, TRAM card travel records that matched the locations and times of the fires, and incendiary material found at the accused's home. These elements were crucial for the conviction.

The resolution is based on evidence such as security camera recordings, travel records registered with the TRAM card —which coincided with the places and times of the fires— and incendiary material found at the accused's home.

The penalty is broken down into three years in prison for a crime of damage by fire and an additional six years for arson endangering the physical integrity of people. In the latter case, the court considered that one of the fires affected an 83-year-old woman, who could not leave her home due to smoke, and the owner of a bar, who also could not access his dwelling.
In addition to the prison sentence, the convicted individual must compensate the La Vila Joiosa City Council, the affected premises, and the damaged property owner communities with a sum exceeding 21,600 euros. The sentence is currently not final and can be appealed before the High Court of Justice of the Valencian Community.