Revealed: Ex accused of killing British mother-of-three in Spain had restraining order against him as it emerges her children who were in the house raised alarm ‘by pressing panic button’

An estranged husband accused of killing a British mother-of-three in Spain had a restraining order against him, it has emerged. 

Hairdresser Victoria Hart, 33, was stabbed to death yesterday at her family home in the La Paca area of Alhaurin el Grande in Malaga. 

She was found in a pool of blood with a kitchen knife beside her body, according to local media. 

A source close to the family told the Daily Mail they believe she had been killed in front of her children, who then raised the alarm by pressing a panic button in the house. 

Her ex, Juan Antonia Rueda, has been arrested after he handed himself in at a nearby prison and told officers: ‘Arrest me, I’ve done something very bad.’ 

‘He (her husband) had been banned by the police but got into the house in some way,’ the source told the Daily Mail.

‘I think the children saw it. Victoria had been trying to divorce him because he had been hitting her. The police had banned him from the house but he managed to get in. I’m told it was the children who pressed the panic button.

‘I think it was (the case) that she was trying to move on, but I don’t know if she had a new partner.

‘The family have been out in Spain for many years, I don’t know why they moved – maybe for a better life.’

It is understood Victoria was in the process of separating from Juan, who had a restraining order against him that stopped him from approaching the home where his wife and three children lived. 

The source added: ‘I don’t know who is going to look after the children, or if they will be in a fit state to do so. They were all very, very close.’ 

Victoria Hart, 33, (right, pictured with her ex Juan Antonio Rueda) was stabbed to death at her family home in the La Paca area of Alhaurin el Grande in Malaga

Victoria was found in a pool of blood with a kitchen knife beside her body, according to local media

Her estranged husband, Juan Antonia Rueda, has been arrested after he handed himself in at a nearby prison and told officers: ‘Arrest me, I’ve done something very bad’

Victoria’s mother, Susan Hart, ran an Estee Lauder concession in a department store. Her father, Sidney, died in 2019. 

Neighbours said today that her closest friends and family were ‘aware of what was going on’, reported El Mundo.

The Spanish newspaper said Juan was seen at a bakery near his father’s chicken rotisserie business on the day of the killing.

Concerned staff had asked him how he was feeling as he ‘seemed serious’, to which he replied: ‘I’m so-so.’ 

Victoria was attacked an hour later at around 11.40am with her screams alerting neighbours to call the police.  

Local reports said her eldest child, an 11-year-old boy who has two twin sisters aged seven, ran into the garden of the residential estate, where they lived a 50-minute drive inland from Marbella, and asked for help.

The youngster is also said to have phoned his grandmother after their mother was attacked. 

Alhaurin el Grande Town Council has announced there will be a day of mourning tomorrow with a minute’s silence to be held at 5pm in Victoria’s memory.  

Heartfelt tributes have flooded social media for Victoria, with one friend saying: ‘RIP Victoria Hart. This is devastating news. We need to stand up against domestic violence in this country and work against those who are protecting these animals.

‘My prayers are with the family at this terrible time.’

Elaine Mawer, added in a message to a relative of Victoria’s, believed to be her mother, said: ‘I am heartbroken. This should never have happened.

‘Them poor children. Deepest condolences to Sue Hart and all the family. Victoria will be very sadly missed.’

Joanne Wilson wrote: ‘There’s no words in this world that could describe a beautiful person, a great mother, a great friend. Victoria Hart you will be missed.

‘My heart is broken and I still can’t believe it. RIP my angel. I will miss you more than anyone in this world would think.

‘Sending my love to the kids’ mum, Sue and Gemma and all your family.

‘There’s not many people as perfect as Victoria Hart.’

British mother-of-three Victoria, pictured, was stabbed to death at her home in Spain yesterday 

The expat (pictured here with her mother) lived in the residential estate of Alhaurin el Grande, a 50-minute drive inland from Marbella

She was attacked at around 11.40am local time in the La Paca area of Alhaurin el Grande (pictured)

Donna Hancock said on social media: ‘Let’s stand together for Victoria Hart and her family. RIP angel taken too soon. Domestic violence.’

A spokesman for the Civil Guard in Malaga said yesterday: ‘The Civil Guard is investigating the death of a woman in Alhaurin el Grande.

‘Her ex-partner has been arrested as the alleged killer.’

So far, little has emerged of the suspect, but Spanish media reported that he was a former semi-professional footballer who previously played in Spain’s Tercera Federación.

It also emerged last night that the victim was registered on VioGen, which is Spain’s monitoring and safeguarding system for women who face gender or domestic violence.

Neighbours claimed that the couple’s relationship had been on the rocks prior to her death and they had been in the process of separating.

They told local media organisation Sur that the woman had been out with friends on Friday afternoon, and that her partner had sent repeated messages throughout the evening trying to find out where she was.

Alhaurin el Grande Town Council said in a statement: ‘The Ayuntamiento de Alhaurín el Grande calls on the citizens to participate next Monday, January 26, in a citizens’ mourning rally, which will take place at 17:00 in the Town Hall Square, where a minute of silence will be kept in memory of the woman killed in our town, victim of gender based violence.

‘We express again the strongest repulsion and condemnation of this terrible act of violence, as well as solidarity and support to the victim’s family and close people.

‘The City Council reiterates its commitment to the fight against gender-based violence and calls for unity in society to eradicate any form of violence against women.’