Galician granny fights fine

AN elderly lady in Galicia who requires a walking frame to get about is fighting a court case after being accused of climbing fences and acting aggressively during a protest.

“I have osteoporosis, arthritis, rheumatism…. They ruined my life but I was fighting for what was mine, and I still am,” the 81-year-old woman declared outside a Galicia court while leaning on her walking frame.

Inside the court, her lawyer tried to convince those present that an elderly woman who was unable to walk unassisted was unable to lead a charge of protestors and climb over a fence, no matter what a police report said.

The report, which accused her of aggressive behaviour, is one of more than 40 that led Pontevedra regional government to fine those affected by a share scandal for making too much of a fuss over losing their savings.

Judges have been going over the paperwork since November and so far the protestors are coming up trumps, with 10 sentences in their favour and one against. More than €20,000 that those fined had to hand over are at stake.

Authorities decided Domitila Vicente should be fined €200 for her part in the protests.

“I was trying to help a gentleman get into a car when a policeman came up and punched me in the chest,” Domitila told the press.

“I’ve had to use this walking frame for more than two years, but they claim I jumped over a fence,” she explained.