A 49-year-old man was arrested early yesterday morning after strangling his wife in front of their six children at the family home in Portas (Pontevedra).

He was arrested shortly afterwards at a crossroads near the scene after the eldest of the couple's sons, who is 22, called in the Guardia Civil.

According to local mayor, Roberto Vázquez, the victim - María del Carmen Barcala Rebolo (42) and originally from Rubiáns - moved to the town recently after her home was expropriated to build the new Vilagarcía bypass, and worked in a restaurant.

A source from Pontevedra provincial council has confirmed that the arrested man has no previous convictions for domestic violence although it is understood that the relationship between the couple had deteriorated in recent times.

Including this incident, a total of 65 women have died in domestic violence attacks so far this year although five other cases are pending confirmation.

38 of the victims were Spanish, and 7 of the 27 others were from the European Union.

There were 71 cases in 2007, 68 in 2006, 57 in 2005, 72 in 2004, 71 in 2003, 54 in 2002, 50 in 2001 and 63 in 2000.