The Mossos d’Esquadra arrested the man they were seeking in connection with a disturbing incident in Barcelona, where a homeless woman experienced a serious sexual assault and an armed robbery in Girona on a Saturday night. The case has been brought before the 3rd Instruction Court, which opened proceedings on a crime charge that includes sexual violence and violent robbery connected to the theft of the victim’s belongings after the assault.
According to reports, the events unfolded after the victim had spent several nights in the gardens. On September 2 at 21:30 she went to La Sopa shelter to ask for a meal. While she was there, a person who was also a user of La Sopa, and who had slept outdoors with other shelter guests, left the shelter along with the victim’s associate in order to confront her. The victim attempted to flee, but the attacker followed and pursued her into the gardens. There, the assailant violently pushed her to the ground and attempted to strangle her on multiple occasions, as described by the victim in testimony to the court. The assailant then sexually assaulted her and, while taking her belongings, the victim moved outside to seek help. The attacker continued to pursue her, but the victim managed to alert La Sopa security staff and recover her items. The perpetrator subsequently escaped the scene.
The attacker, known to the victim from prior shelter encounters, again targeted the same person and took belongings during the assault.
The prior incident
The woman explained that she had previously met the defendants at reception centers and that they also spent nights on the street with other residents. She stated that both she and her colleagues understood that the man used the opportunity to harass and touch women under the pretext of social contact. She added that, although she did not report it at the time, she had previously been punched in the chest by the same individual about five months earlier, an event she described in court.
The judge issued a search and arrest warrant and ordered precautionary measures including a restraining order. The individual is now barred from approaching within 500 meters of the victim and prohibited from any form of communication. In ruling on these measures, the court noted a real risk that the suspect might attack the victim again due to a lack of a stable address and ongoing risk factors.
Forensic reports documented multiple injuries, corroborating the victim’s account and supporting the decision to impose precautionary restrictions. Prosecutors reported that after the alleged attacker was found, the suspect was detained by authorities. The proceedings also highlighted that the victim received legal counsel during the forensic testimony provided by attorney Aitor Cuéllar, as part of the Sexist Violence Act framework.