A British mother of three was tragically stabbed to death at her Spanish home by her estranged husband, despite having reported him to police just three months earlier after he threatened to kill her. Victoria Hart, a 33-year-old hairdresser originally from Solihull, was found in a pool of blood with a kitchen knife by her side by paramedics at the property in Alhaurin el Grande, near Marbella, where she lived with her children.
Court Hearing Reveals History of Threats and Legal Failures
Details emerged during a closed-door court hearing in Coin on Tuesday, where Juan Antonio Rueda, 37, appeared charged with murder. The hearing, which lasted over four hours, revealed that the couple were in the process of divorcing and that Rueda had a history of threatening behaviour towards Ms Hart.
According to judicial sources, Rueda spoke only through his lawyer during proceedings, requesting a mental health assessment. The court heard that last month, Rueda received a four-month suspended sentence for breaching a restraining order that had been imposed after he was charged with threatening to kill Ms Hart in October.
Systematic Failure of Protective Measures
Ms Hart had reported Rueda to police in October after he allegedly told her she would "only be leaving the house feet first." A friend named Lorena told local media that Victoria had installed security cameras as a result of these threats but didn't believe he would actually carry them out.
The restraining order issued in October prohibited Rueda from coming within 300 metres of the house where Ms Hart lived with their three children - an 11-year-old boy and twin seven-year-old girls. However, he breached this order three times in 18 days during November, resulting in the suspended sentence.
Further investigation revealed that in March 2024, Rueda had been convicted of previously threatening Ms Hart and received 31 days of community service, a firearms ban, and a four-month restraining order. After serving this sentence, the couple resumed living together, but their relationship continued to deteriorate.
Community Mourning and Calls for Justice
On Monday, more than 250 people gathered outside the town hall for a minute's silence in memory of Ms Hart. Her heartbroken mother Sue, sister Jemma Cussen, and her three children attended the poignant event, where white balloons were released by the children and their schoolmates.
Mrs Cussen told the tearful crowd: "Thank you all for coming today. All I have to say at this moment is, we want justice for Victoria, and we will get justice for Victoria." Bystanders, many in tears, applauded as her husband James stood behind her, raising a hand in acknowledgement of their support.
Questions About System Failures
Family sources have raised serious concerns about the Spanish authorities' failure to properly monitor Rueda, despite Ms Hart being registered on the VioGen system - Spain's domestic violence monitoring programme introduced in 2004. The system uses an algorithm to predict future risk and establish protection measures when women report domestic violence at police stations.
One family source said: "There's a lot we can say about the system and how it failed Victoria, but now is not the time and the place. Now is just about her three children and looking after them."
Councillor Macarena Herrera, standing in for the mayor, expressed the community's sorrow: "Our deepest sympathy for what happened in our town on Saturday goes to Victoria's family. We condemn robustly violence towards women - it is a plague on society that must be eradicated."
Emotional Tributes and Financial Support
Ms Hart's best friend, Maxine Hill, who met Victoria as a teenager in Spain, posted an emotional tribute on Facebook and set up a GoFundMe page that has raised nearly 40,000 euros to support the children's immediate needs. She described Victoria as "joy, fire, and love in its fiercest form" and recalled their teenage years growing up together in Spain.
Another friend, Gemma, who attended the memorial, told reporters: "She lived for her kids, she was such a great mum and a fabulous hairdresser. Those poor kids are going to be scarred for life now. We just want the family and them to get justice."
The attack occurred on Saturday around 11:40 am, with the alarm raised after Ms Hart's son ran into the garden shouting for help before calling his grandmother, who alerted police. As Rueda was driven away from court in a police van, bystanders shouted "Assassino" and hurled insults at the vehicle.
Ms Hart had moved to Spain with her parents and older sister when she was eight years old. Her mother lives nearby and runs an Estée Lauder concession in a local department store, while her father Sidney died in 2019. The community continues to mourn the loss of a woman described by friends as "full of life, bubbly, and such fun," while her family seeks justice for her tragic death.
