‘Best English Newspaper in Spain’ - Olive Press ‘does it for the underdogs’ PS our columnist Charlie has won an award too
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HEARTBREAK PLEA By Walter Finch
THE devastated girlfriend of a Swedish restaurant owner who was dragged to his death during a savage street robbery in Torrevieja is begging for help to repatriate his body and pay his employees. Entrepreneur Christian Pikulak, 30, was killed after being dragged several metres under a car when thieves snatched his mobile phone in the early hours of October 3. His grief-stricken partner Vivienne Fondo (pictured with Christian) is now struggling to raise funds to bring his body home to Sweden and cover the wages of staff at his restaurant, Smashed Burger, which he opened on the Costa Blanca three years ago. “My dear boyfriend Christian was subjected to a brutal robbery,” she wrote in a heartfelt online appeal. “He was dragged several metres when the thieves stole his mobile phone – and his life could not be saved.” The attack happened around 4am on Calle Pedro Lorca when a group of youths in a car asked for directions. As Christian pulled out his phone, one of them snatched it. He tried to resist but was dragged beneath the car as it sped off, while Vivienne watched in horror. He remained in a coma at Elche Hospital for several days before dying on October 7. Vivienne, now in Spain with Christian’s mother, says she is overwhelmed by the costs of transport, wages, and legal fees. “The insurance doesn’t cover anything,” she explained. Police are treating the case as murder and have traced the signal from Christian’s stolen iPhone to Alicante city.
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Vol. 6 Issue 166
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Jávea · Moraira-Benitachell
The Olive Press is relaunching its ‘Smash the Spiking’ campaign with Sala Group Holdings to tackle the growing menace of drink spiking across the Spanish costas By Jon Clarke
THE Olive Press is teaming up with one of Spain’s leading expat hospitality groups to highlight the growing danger of spiking. We are relaunching our Smash the Spiking campaign alongside Sala Group Holdings to warn and protect revellers in the run up to the festive period. As well as encouraging other nightclub and entertainment organisations to take a stand, we hope local politicians and law enforcement agencies also support it. Aiming to unite them under one umbrella, our mesYOUR REAL ESTATE AGENCY FOR BENISSA, CALPE, MORAIRA sage is simple: 966 112 428 · areacostablanca.com ‘Eyes Out for all!’
Our appeal comes after hearing a string of stories of victims - both men and women - being attacked around Spain this summer. Such is the problem that Spain’s Equality Ministry began a series of initiatives to gather evidence and protect revellers at festivals and ferias around the country. The so-called ‘violet points’ were set up to help victims and witnesses of sexual harassment. Named after the colour connected to the feminist movement, they were rolled out at Valencia’s Medusa Sunbeach Festival and also at Malaga feria. While we have been frustratingly unable to get clear, up-to-date statistics from the authorities, we have received various reports from readers and fellow holidaymakers. Whether it is victims then having their watches snatched in a taxi queue, golfers falling out of a bar, or girls getting sexually assaulted on a beach, it is occurring far too often. One of our journalists is even convinced his drink was spiked while on
BACKING: From La Salas boss Ian Radford (below)
SMASH the
SPIKING
MORAIRA PLUMBING HEATING
a night out in Ronda, while a female intern was previously assaulted in the UK. “I know as many as 20 people over the last five years who have been victims on the coast,” explained Sala Group boss Ian Radford. “Mostly for robbery, as opposed to the sexual side luckily. But that is far too often. “It is time to make a stop. We need to do something about it and as business owners we need to be responsible.” The 56-year-old, who owns La Sala restaurant, The Clubhouse and another beach club, is pledging to tackle the crime head on by training up all staff and making CCTV available to anyone who believes they may
have been spiked. Staff will be trained to understand the ‘Ask Angela’ system that is big in the UK, as well as helping potential victims leave the venue safely, often by calling a taxi. Based in Marbella for nearly three decades, the father-of-three adds: “We are committed to beating this problem. We will be looking out. Eyes out all the time and I urge all businesses in our sector to come and join us. “We need to raise awareness with the support of local media.” Have you been a victim? Have you got something to add? Contact us at newsdesk@theolivepress.es
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