A Cartagena resident, a 47-year-old man whose identity has not been disclosed, has received a four-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to attempting sexual assault against a friend. He offered to drive her home, and the case moved forward without a full jury trial because both prosecutors and his defense team agreed to the sentence and the proceedings continued as an eligibility hearing where the defendant appeared on his own behalf.
The timeline traces back to events that occurred about three years ago in September and were reviewed by Cartagena’s fifth Investigation Court as part of the case against the defendant.
The defendant acknowledges the actions, and the defense accepts the four-year term in court.
According to the established facts in court records, the victim and the accused had known each other for some time and had a cordial, informal relationship. They ended up at a social gathering hosted by the victim’s former spouse in the La Guía area, a rural district with open fields. The victim agreed to let the man drive her home, and she got into his car after consent was given.
During the drive, the man allegedly behaved inappropriately, steering the vehicle toward a secluded area in La Guía with the stated intention of engaging in intercourse. When the vehicle halted, the victim felt fear and attempted to flee on foot, but the man pursued her, catching up and forcing her to the ground. She resisted, cried out for him to stop, and fought to free herself. The entries in court documents describe the man pressing himself on her, lifting her clothing, and attempting to rape her while she tried to defend herself.
The judgment also imposes financial penalties—240 euros for injuries and 10,000 euros for non-pecuniary damages.
The assailant is said to have exposed himself and engaged in sexual activity with the victim while she was still wearing a dress with a bikini underneath. He allegedly removed his own clothing and continued the assault by physically restraining her, contributing to injuries on the victim’s hip, arm, and other parts of the body. Medical personnel treated the victim at the scene and later at a hospital, confirming injuries that required medical attention. Because the attacker was positively identified, investigators were able to locate him quickly and bring him to justice, culminating in a conviction three years after the incident.
The County Court sentenced the defendant to four years in prison for the offense of breach of obligations and related conduct. In addition, he was ordered to stay at least 200 meters away from the victim for eight years and to compensate the victim with 240 euros for medical damages and 10,000 euros for non-pecuniary damages. He was also obligated to cover legal and court expenses incurred by the case.
The sentence is not yet final; it awaits resolution by the Murcia High Court of Justice, known as the TSJ, which may review the terms and potentially alter the outcome during the appellate process.