In a courtroom setting in Vigo City, the Justice system reported a troubling account from a housing facility for adults with mental disabilities. The case centers on allegations that a monitor in a supervised apartment, where residents live with others, engaged in repeated sexual conduct with two residents. The testimony comes amid a broader public health emergency, and the timing aligns with early 2020 restrictions under governmental alarm measures accompanying the COVID-19 pandemic.
The victim did not attend the hearing in person; instead, her account was presented through a voice-recorded statement gathered earlier during the investigation. The recording was prepared to be fully heard at trial, ensuring the witness would not need to testify again about the same events. The narrative mirrors the testimony of a second resident who is also perceived as a victim in the same alleged abuse. The events took place between March and June 2020, a period that roughly coincided with the government’s COVID-19 containment decree.
in a foundation
The accused previously served as an observer for a foundation that works with and cares for people with mental disabilities. To protect the victims’ identities, the foundation is not named here. Following a closure decision, support staff remained in a supervised apartment shared by several residents, including two who were injured. The prosecutor’s office filed charges alleging ongoing sexual abuse by the accused. The two women both seek prison terms on provisional charges, requesting a five-year sentence, in addition to a ban from any activity or event involving minors. They also seek deportation orders, participation in a sex education program, and financial compensation of 6,000 euros to each woman for moral damages.
The defendant has denied the allegations. He told the court at the outset that he wished to testify and defend himself. He initially framed the accusations as misunderstandings or misperceptions and suggested that one of the women may have reported him because of an unwanted attraction. He also claimed that the second complaint stemmed from a claim about “making the sausages fat.” The prosecutor expressed surprise at these remarks and noted that they appeared aimed at pressuring colleagues and the foundation’s management to pursue a complaint against him as well.
Observers and legal representatives emphasized the gravity of the charge and the vulnerability of residents living in supervised apartments. The case underscores the need for rigorous safeguarding measures in facilities that provide long-term housing for people with disabilities, along with clear reporting channels and independent oversight. Current proceedings continue as authorities seek accountability, protection for residents, and appropriate remediation for the victims. Reporting on this matter has been attributed to court records and ongoing judicial updates, with additional context provided by local news outlets.