n the ongoing case concerning Cecilio Lera Blanco, the former mayor of Castroverde de Campos, details have emerged about prior prison sentences and alleged crimes involving sexual abuse of minors. The Zamora ProsecutorOffice presented arguments to persuade the Provincial Court to determine the case based on the grounds at hand. Lera Blanco is serving a four-year term imposed in April 2023 for offenses related to sexual abuse and for involving two underage girls in prostitution, along with actions affecting the first victim6 sister. The situation centers on whether the defendant, already imprisoned for other matters, can benefit from any sentence postponement and the implications of gender-based violence and alcohol-related offenses in the judicial assessment.
n the public record, prosecutors argue that Lera Blanco should not gain postponement due to prior conduct and the specific weight of the crimes. He remains in detention while investigations continue into another alleged violation of a restraining order by his former spouse. The case files indicate that, despite individual offenses carrying sentences of less than two years, the overall context could allow the court to consider suspensions if recidivism is not established and if sentencing factors align with jurisdictional criteria. Prosecutors emphasize that the sexual abuse cases involved the ages of 14 and 16 for the two sisters, with facts outlined in the sentence under review. The documentation notes incidents occurring between July and October 2021, followed by a separate report in November 2021 concerning the abuse of a 15-year-old, all illustrating patterns around the same period.
Paying for sexual activity
n December 2022, the court sentenced a former innkeeper to two years in prison for crimes impacting minors, with judges agreeing to suspend the sentence because the individual lacked a calculable criminal record. In this case, authorities allege that the former socialist offered an underage boy the sum of 300 euros to engage in sex; the offer occurred outside a Castroverde bar after the man exited the establishment. Records show payments to two sisters, ranging from 50 to 100 euros per meeting at the defendants residence, arranged at dawn to minimize attention from neighbors.
n arguing against postponement, the ProsecutorOffice cited court standards that prohibit suspending sentences when the penalty for each offense does not exceed two years and when the defendant is considered not to be the main perpetrator. The position suggests that the measure would be inappropriate given the seriousness of the offenses and the accuseds role in the wrongdoing.
n reflecting on the broader context, observers note that the case has drawn attention to concerns about balancing penalties with prior conduct and the overall gravity of the alleged offenses. The defendant, Cecilio Lera, has admitted to certain actions during proceedings, including references to past behavior that allegedly involved exposing himself and other inappropriate conduct in front of those involved. The defense has argued that factors such as alcoholism and abstinence treatment may influence behavior, while critics question whether these factors should affect the courts assessment of responsibility, especially when multiple victims are involved.
Former hotelier and the question of accountability
n his defense, attorney Miguel Angel Martedn Aneroit contends that alcohol use plays a decisive role in the defendants conduct, suggesting that addiction treatment might justify delaying certain consequences. This line of argument has influenced the County Court to postpone a December 2022 ruling on another sexual offense involving a minor, on the basis of abstinence and non-reoffense over a period. The defense notes that the individual entered treatment in Benavente but reportedly engaged in further offenses before completion of the program. The proceedings show tension between rehabilitation efforts and the need for accountability in light of gender-based violence findings and the protection of minors.
n summary, the case remains under close judicial scrutiny, with prosecutors insisting that postponement should not be granted given the nature of the offenses and the defendants prior conduct, while defenders argue that rehabilitative efforts and the absence of new offenses in some periods should be weighed in favor of leniency. The outcome will hinge on the courts assessment of risk, the gravity of the crimes, and the legal framework governing suspensions and early release in cases involving minors.
Cited authorities in this matter include the Zamora Provincial Court and the public ministry, whose positions emphasize the need to protect minors and uphold court criteria for sentence management. The proceedings reflect ongoing debates about balance, consequences, and accountability in cases of sexual offenses involving young victims. (Source: ProsecutorOffice records and case files cited in court.)