A 38-year-old man from Cartagena, Murcia, admitted before the judge to raping an 11-year-old girl. The sentence was reduced because the court found that he behaved badly when he sexually assaulted his girlfriend’s daughter. The court noted that his faculties were affected by substance use. According to the court document, he faced narcotics charges, was sentenced to nine years in prison, and will serve five years on probation after release. In addition, he is ordered to pay 75,000 euros in compensation to the victim and is prohibited from approaching her for 19 years, under the court’s restrictions.
The events, which the court deemed proven and which the defendant himself acknowledged during the proceedings, occurred in the summer of 2021 when the child was on vacation. The assailant took advantage of the mother’s work schedule, which kept her away for long stretches of the day and night.
On one occasion, the man approached the child in a hallway, threatened her by saying he would harm them both if she told anyone, and then grabbed her by the shoulders. He pressed her against a wall and kissed her neck before proceeding with the assault.
marijuana and cocaine
Another incident that same summer involved waking the child in her room and engaging in further acts of sexual violence. In both episodes, the perpetrator carried out the acts while his judgment was impaired by narcotic substances, specifically marijuana and cocaine. The decision notes that the defendant openly admitted the facts when questioned in court.
At the outset of the hearing, the defense claimed that the defendant was struggling with drug addiction and experiencing pain. The court also weighed the victim’s testimony as consistent and persuasive. In each incident, the offender was aware of his actions, and the court cited two mitigating factors: drug addiction and a confession. It also acknowledged that the confession, though late, helped clarify the facts and guided the judicial evaluation.
The record emphasizes the impact on the victim and the need for accountability. The court’s ruling reflects a careful balance between recognizing the offender’s admitted conduct and applying appropriate penalties to deter and sanction such crimes. The case underscores the seriousness of offenses involving minors and the role of substance use in influencing behavior, while affirming the legal process that gathers evidence, weighs testimony, and determines consequences for those found responsible.
Legal observers note that the sentence structure includes prison time, probation, and financial restitution to the victim, coupled with a long ban on contact. The ruling stands as a public record of accountability and the judiciary’s response to offenses against children, highlighting the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals and ensuring consequences for violators. Attribution: Provincial Court records and court proceedings.