The Dirección General de Instituciones Penitenciarias (DGIP) has granted ‘third grade’ prisoner status to the flamenco dancing star ‘Farruquito’, or Juan Manuel Fernández Montoya to give him his real name. Farruquito was convicted of reckless homicide following the death of motorcyclist Benjamín Olalla in a road traffic accident on September 30th 2003.
The dancer was sentenced to three years in prison, banned from driving for three and a half years and was ordered to pay compensation of €102,483.55 to the widow of the deceased and €8,275.30 to each of the parents of the victim.
Farruquito is currently a ‘second grade’ prisoner, which means an entitlement of 36 days per year (18 per semester) of ‘home leave’. As a ‘third grade’ prisoner, he will only have to return to his cell at night. The change in prisoner status is as a result of good behaviour.