‘He made me drive or he’d kill us’: French household in ‘race towards time’ rescue after horror highway journey throughout Spain

A FRENCH mom and her two younger youngsters have been held captive for almost two weeks by her ex-partner, who pressured her to drive greater than 2,000 km throughout Spain and Portugal with a knife at their throat.

She solely escaped being dragged over to North Africa when she managed to ship a textual content to a good friend whereas her attacker lowered his guard.

The ordeal started in France, the place the person is accused of kidnapping the lady, destroying her cellphone and slicing her off from any hope of in search of assist.

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From there, the household travelled continuous by automotive, sleeping contained in the car at service stations, unable to scrub or change garments, and surviving on a eating regimen of bread, tinned tuna and biscuits purchased in roadside petrol stations.

Police say the person repeatedly assaulted the lady in the course of the journey – together with sexual assaults carried out in entrance of the youngsters – whereas holding a knife and threatening her to maintain driving, permitting her little or no relaxation.

The girl is claimed to have pushed lengthy stretches via the evening along with her youngsters within the again seat, terrified of constructing a mistake or stopping wherever that may provoke a violent response.

He allegedly warned her that if she spoke to anybody, tried to sign for assist, or did not obey him, he would kill her and the youngsters.

The breakthrough got here solely when the person briefly lowered his guard.

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In that quick second, the lady managed to take a cellphone and ship a message to a relative in France.

The message learn: “He desires to kill me. Inform the police, they’re the one ones who can save me. Delete this so he doesn’t see it.”

French authorities instantly contacted the Policia Nacional in Spain, triggering a coordinated search that centered on roads, service areas and potential routes towards southern ports.

Investigators imagine the person supposed to achieve North Africa, crossing from southern Spain to Algeria in an try and keep away from arrest.

The search was led by officers from the household safety unit UFAM Central, who carried out surveillance and monitoring with excessive warning as a result of danger of frightening the suspect.

Police finally tracked the household down in Malaga and carried out a discreet method earlier than making a lightning-fast raid to go off any sudden violence.

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The girl and her youngsters have been taken on to hospital.

Medical doctors reported dehydration and malnutrition in each youngsters, whereas the mom was discovered with intensive bruising, chunk marks and different indicators of bodily assault.

The kids additionally had insect bites throughout their our bodies after being pressured to reside within the car with out washing or being allowed exterior safely.

Officers recovered the knife used to threaten the household, in addition to the damaged cell phone.

The person was arrested and has been remanded in custody.

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He’s beneath investigation for tried murder, aggravated and continued sexual assault, unlawful detention, home and gender-based abuse, violation of privateness, harm to property and is the topic of a European arrest warrant issued by the French authorities.

The household is now receiving medical therapy and psychological help.

Police described the rescue as ‘a race towards time’ and stated the precedence all through was to keep away from “any motion that might place the victims at additional danger.”

The investigation stays open.

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