This case from Alicante’s regional court centers on a serious sexual assault incident that involved a 31 year old man, his girlfriend, and a group of friends in Benidorm. The Third Section ruled that the defendant should serve a four year prison sentence and compensate the victim for non-pecuniary damages amounting to 5,000 euros. The decision underscores the severity of the crime and the court’s stance on protecting victims from sexual misconduct.
According to the court records, the events took place on the morning of August 13, 2017, at a penthouse in Benidorm where the defendant lived. The night before, the group attended a concert together and continued their celebration at the defendant’s residence. The party extended into the early hours as alcohol flowed and the group kept the night alive.
Upon returning home, the victim, the defendant’s friend, and the friend’s partner remained on the bed in the bedroom, fully dressed but weary from the night’s activities. The other two individuals stayed in a different area of the home, talking as the room settled into quiet after the late hours of the party. The scene set the stage for what would unfold early in the morning.
abuses
At around 7:30 in the morning, the defendant entered the bedroom where the two young people were resting. The court’s account details that his girlfriend took advantage of her sleeping companion to remove the clothes she was wearing and initiated sexual activity. The victim woke to intense pain and discovered she was unclothed from the waist down. She reacted by shouting and confronting the man. Her girlfriend, who was still in the same bed, believed her friend and later asserted that the relationship had been consensual. Based on these testimonies, the accused faced allegations of sexual misconduct and the victim chose to leave the home and tell the truth about what had occurred.
The verdict describes the emotional impact on the victim, noting symptoms including anxiety, depressive states, and a diagnosis consistent with post-traumatic stress. The court highlighted the lasting psychological effects and the need for accountability in cases of sexual aggression, emphasizing the harm caused to the victim’s sense of safety and well-being.
The legal proceedings concluded with a four year prison sentence for the defendant and a financial obligation to compensate the victim for non-pecuniary damages in the amount of 5,000 euros. The ruling reflects the court’s commitment to addressing violations of bodily autonomy and the protection of victims in similar scenarios. It also reinforces the importance of credible testimonies and careful assessment of the emotional and physical consequences faced by survivors.