In the Fourth Division of the Valencian Provincial Court a trial was convened this morning concerning a 63-year-old man who was employed as a concierge at Ontinyent General Hospital. He stands accused of touching the genital area of a 16-year-old patient who had just undergone tonsil removal and was under anesthesia. The defendant faces a potential ten-year prison sentence, as requested by the Public Prosecutor, with the case proceeding at the request of the Public Ministry.
The proceedings were conducted behind closed doors. In addition to the accused, the insurer for the Generalitat and the Ministry of Health are named as co-responsible parties in the civil liability context of the event.
The prosecution contends that while the minor was in the anesthesia resuscitation room, the defendant placed his hand under his underwear and touched the minor’s intimate areas. According to the indictment, such conduct constitutes a grave breach of trust and constitutes sexual abuse of a vulnerable minor who required medical care.
Witnesses, including the anesthetist and the attending nurse, testified about how the events unfolded and how they alerted the hospital’s deputy economic director to the incident, prompting an official investigation. The courtroom heard that the encounter occurred in a protected clinical setting, during a moment when the patient was under anesthesia and therefore unable to give consent or resist.
The prosecutor noted that the alleged contact resulted in physical exposure and described the incident as consistent with a sexual act involving a minor. The indictment emphasizes the seriousness of the breach of professional boundaries in a hospital environment, where staff are entrusted with safeguarding the well-being and privacy of patients.
The Public Ministry has urged the court to impose a ten-year prison sentence on the principal defendant for the sexual abuse of a minor who was under medical care. The case underscores the legal consequences of harming a minor within a healthcare facility and the duty of medical institutions to ensure a safe environment for patients.
At the conclusion of the oral hearing, the family members of the victim awaited the return of the accused to custody. It was anticipated that emotions would run high outside the courthouse, with onlookers expressing their distress and frustration toward the justice process. Authorities monitored the area and prepared for potential demonstrations, while ensuring the safety of others involved in the transport of prisoners and the surrounding public space. (Source: Public Prosecutor)