In a decision from Section 11 of the County Court, the owner of a consultancy based in Elche was acquitted after facing two charges of sexually abusing a minor under 15 while the person remained on alert due to covid. The defendant was represented by attorney Roberto Sanchez Martinez and confronted a potential 30-year prison sentence. Prosecutors had alleged two instances of sexual abuse and two related offenses involving minors.
Judge’s ruling emphasizes that the evidence presented did not establish the alleged conduct beyond reasonable doubt and thus applies the principle of in dubio pro reo, resulting in acquittal of the accused.
drug problems
The sentence notes that, from May to June 2020, a minor under 15 experienced a severe drug addiction and began asking for money. The defendant, along with other neighborhood residents, faced allegations but ultimately was acquitted.
On June 4, 2020, the child was admitted to the Els Reiets center in Alicante. There, a psychologist was told that the child had been sexually abused when leaving home to walk the dog. The abuse was described as occurring on several occasions, with a beggar and a local man known from the neighborhood alleged as the perpetrator who offered money.
National Police involvement followed, with the boy’s statement taken before any arrest of the counselor. The boy reportedly received payments of 20 and 30 euros on two occasions while in the counselor’s presence, and the allegations were later contested in the trial. The court’s judgment notes notable inconsistencies in the victim’s testimony and highlights that the claimed facts were not proven as presented.