The case centers on the conduct of a former Civil Guard officer accused of abusing his position and harming minors in the province of Huesca, Aragón. The legal process unfolded with the suspect denying the accusations during interviews, in court appearances, and in statements to colleagues. Despite his denials, prosecutors pursued a severe sentence, arguing that the crimes involved multiple young students in extracurricular English classes held in public schools across Barbastro and nearby towns. The court finalized a request for a lengthy prison term, emphasizing the gravity of the offenses, while noting that the exact length would be confirmed after appeals to the Aragon Supreme Court of Justice. Until a final ruling, one of the victims’ lawyers pressed for immediate custody to prevent potential flight risk.
The decisive element in the conviction was a video recording showing the alleged abuses. A teacher responsible for the class recorded the moment when the accused entered a classroom unannounced and was observed with a child seated on his lap. The evidence, deemed appropriate by the Huesca Court, was described as revealing a pattern of inappropriate touching that crossed professional boundaries. Counsel for the defense argued that the recording infringed on privacy rights and sought to annul the evidence, but the court ruled the material lawful, proportional, and necessary to disclose the facts. The judges described the defendant as someone who repeatedly harassed pupils, contradicting the role he had as a mentor and caregiver.
According to the court’s findings, the majority of the young students recalled behavior that included giving gifts, sitting on laps, and physical closeness that many believed went beyond acceptable conduct for a teacher. The signatories noted that, although the accused may have been regarded as having a good reputation, the age and vulnerability of the students should have guided more careful boundaries, and no sexual undertone was considered appropriate in such interactions.
After arrest, the head of the Arms Intervention unit of the Civil Guard was briefly held and later released on bail of 6,000 euros since early 2020. Conditions included a ban on residence in Barbastro and a prohibition on approaching the victims. The initial charges related to 16 children aged between 6 and 10, attending two local schools. In the sentencing, the court handed terms of imprisonment for several minors, with variations reflecting the degree of involvement. Specifically, the court found serious abuse against nine children, while other cases involved lesser penalties or separate conclusions about the nature of the conduct. The judgments highlighted the defendant’s perceived superiority over the students and described a pattern that prosecutors argued amounted to sexual abuse under the applicable statutes.
As the case progressed, it was found that a portion of the total minor cohort did not reach the threshold for criminal liability for certain acts, even though the children shared similar experiences. The extracurricular activities across two different academic years, conducted in 2018 and 2019, were said to align with the testimonies provided by the children, underscoring the complexity of establishing a universal charge while recognizing the varied nature of each individual case. The court stressed that every minor’s account required careful consideration, and some claims did not meet the legal criteria for a crime, even as other acts were deemed clearly abusive.