A FRIEND of a British mum who was allegedly stabbed to death in front of her children has said she installed cameras and changed the locks to try to keep her ex away.
Victoria Hart, 33, had a restraining order against her ex-partner after she tried to divorce him.
The mother of three was stabbed to death in her family home in Alhaurín el Grande, near Marbella, on Saturday.
Victoria’s estranged ex Juan Antonio Rueda (37) is accused of her murder.
According to the local newspaper Malaga Hoy, the suspect set off in nearby Alhaurín de PUSH Tower Prisonwho allegedly tells staff: “Arrest me, I’ve done something very wrong.”
A friend of the British hairdresser revealed today steps Victoria tried to keep herself and her children safe.
Hull-born Elaine Mawer, 69, said: “Victoria did everything she could to get things right with the authorities but the system let her down.
“She changed the locks, had cameras installed, you name it, she did everything she could.
Victoria’s regular customer Elaine said her ex-girlfriend was to be electronically tagged by police to help enforce a restraining order.
And she claimed the tag could have saved the mother-of-three’s life.
She said: “Her ex should have had a tag a long time ago and it could have saved her life.
“The police decided he should wear it because he was ignoring a court order.
“But his attitude was, ‘I’m going to do what I like and nobody’s going to touch me’.”
Victoria’s eldest child – an 11-year-old boy – raised the alarm by pressing the panic button in the house.
The young man is also said to have telephoned his grandmother after his mother was attacked.
It is unclear whether Victoria’s seven-year-old twins witnessed the horrors unfold.
Elaine blamed the breakdown of Victoria’s relationship with suspicious to his “narcissistic” personality and alleged drug problem.
Tragically, she revealed that when she last spoke to the murdered hairdresser, Victoria was waiting for the suspect’s electronic tag to arrive.
Elaine claimed: “The last time we spoke she said they were waiting for a label that was coming from another part of Spain.
Obviously not and he continued to violate his restraining order and abuse it by getting too close to her.’
She said Victoria’s ex “never got over the fact that she ended up staying in the house.”
The friend added: “I encouraged her to report him for breaching the order even though it was a very difficult situation for her because at the end of the day he was still the father of their three children.”
Elaine said her boyfriend “worked very hard” on his business and raising his three children.
The ex-partner said: “She was a good soul, a devoted mum and a devoted wife until her husband started doing the things he did to her, and then how can you continue to love someone like that?
Elaine added: “The system definitely let my friend down and it shouldn’t have happened.”
Domestic abuse – how to get help
DOMESTIC abuse can affect anyone – including men – and does not always involve physical violence.
Here are some signs that you might be in an abusive relationship:
- Emotional abuse – Including being belittled, accused of abuse – gaslighting – being isolated from family and friends, not being in control of your finances, what where and who you talk to
- Threats and intimidation – Some partners may threaten to kill or injure you, destroy your property, stalk you or harass you
- Physical abuse – This can range from slapping or punching to pushing, choking or biting.
- Sexual abuse – Being touched in a way you don’t want to be touched, hurting during sex, being forced or coerced into having sex when you don’t consent.
If any of the above applies to you or your friend, you can call these numbers:
Remember, you are not alone.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime.
Every 30 seconds, the police receive a call for help related to domestic violence.
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