A case unfolded in the State Court of Mallorca this Monday, centered on a young man accused of raping a 12-year-old girl in Andratx. The defendant contends that he was unaware of the girl’s true age, explaining to the court that he believed the minor to be 15 or 16 years old. He maintains that sexual relations with the girl were consensual under his stated belief, and that any sexual encounter was not preceded by a deliberate attempt to harm or exploit the young person. Prosecutors, however, charge him with sexual penetration of a minor and with actions that warrant serious penalties. The narrative presented in court reflects the tension between the defendant’s account and the authorities’ portrayal of the events as severe crimes involving a minor. The case thus hinges on whether the accused truly understood the minor’s age and the degree of consent involved in the encounters, a question that remains contested as the trial proceeds (Court records).
The alleged events date back to 2017, a period shortly after the girl relocated to Spain. According to the defense, the young man knew the girl through family gatherings they attended in the same social circle. He asserts that she did not reveal her age to him and that the relationship began after she approached him via Facebook. The two reportedly exchanged messages for several weeks before the girl visited his home while her father was away. At the time, the defendant was 26 years old. He says that he did not have explicit intentions of causing harm and that he was under the influence of substances during that period (Court records).
During June of that year, the two allegedly met at the defendant’s residence, where sexual activity occurred. He claims that the girl did not resist or display any signs of discomfort. He reiterates that he believed the girl was a minor, noting that she had described herself as younger in their online exchanges. The Civil Guard later located and detained the defendant in October 2017 as part of the investigation (Court records).
Before the trial commenced, the defense disclosed a bank transfer of 3,000 euros to the girl’s support fund, described by the defense as a way to cover potential compensation if the accused were found guilty. The transfer was framed as a means to secure relief from damages and to mitigate the possible sentence. This financial action is presented as part of the broader narrative surrounding how the parties anticipated resolution and accountability in the event of a verdict (Court records).
The prosecution seeks substantial restitution for the victim, plus a restraining order to prevent contact, and a sentence of ten years in prison. The legal team for the victim, alongside testimonies from several relatives, a Civil Guard representative, and a technician from the Consell de Mallorca who interviewed the girl after the complaint, are expected to provide testimony during the trial. The case thus involves multiple perspectives on what happened, the nature of the relationship, and the age of the victim at the time of the alleged offenses. The court will weigh these testimonies, the evidence presented, and the defendant’s stated beliefs about the victim’s age in order to determine liability and any resulting penalties (Court records).