Palma choking attack brings 5 years in prison

A young man has been jailed for five years and three months over a choking attack on a minor at a care centre in Palma, Mallorca. The attack happened on 6 April 2025. The Second Section of the Balearic Islands Provincial Court found that he had accepted the possibility that the other resident could die.

At about 15.00, the man went into a bathroom where the victim was and insulted him about his mother. A fight followed and both ended up on the floor. A social care worker and a psychologist pulled them apart after the attacker grabbed the minor by the neck.

Second attack stopped by another resident

Staff took the attacker to a separate room and tried to calm him down. But he tore off a table leg and went back for the victim.

On the floor again, he used a mataleón, a chokehold in which he put an arm around the victim’s neck and pinned him with his legs. The victim stopped trying to free himself, closed his eyes, relaxed his arms and let his head fall to one side.

Another resident who saw the attack then put the same chokehold on the attacker, forcing him to let go.

Police and staff were injured

Four National Police officers arrived shortly afterwards and restrained the man. As they took him towards a police vehicle, he fell down stairs and broke his ribs. An officer and a care-centre worker were also injured while trying to stop him falling.

The court convicted him of attempted homicide and resisting authority. He must pay €1,500 to the victim, €120 to the worker and €280 to the police officer.

Topics: Court cases · Police · Palma

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com