In Miranda de Ebro, Burgos, a man was arrested on Tuesday on charges of illegal detention and personal injury after a woman arrived at the hospital chained from her neck to her hands. He was already in custody on a prior detention claim. The case recalls a 2015 incident in which a nine year old girl was abducted in the same Burgos town and later found by authorities.
A man previously imprisoned for illegal detention and sexual abuse was reported to have received a six month sentence, a consequence published in the Thursday edition of a local newspaper and later confirmed by the Government Sub-Delegation following the afternoon and night during which the minor was abducted in December 2015.
In the present proceedings, the Court of First Instance and Instruction No. 2 of Miranda de Ebro, on duty at the time of the arrest, granted conditional release for the defendant, as reported by regional judicial sources. The Prosecutor’s Office had not requested temporary detention at that moment.
The accused remains under investigation for illegal detention. Authorities note that the ratings and circumstances could change as the investigation advances. The defendant is required to appear in court as needed, with the warning that a change in personal circumstances or repeated nonattendance could lead to a request for temporary prison confinement.
The regional high court explained that due to the timing of the events, the investigation would be handled by Court No. 2, transferring proceedings from Court No. 1. This court would supervise the investigation, collect statements from suspects, and determine the appropriate precautionary measures for those involved.
The victim, who did not initially seek protective measures, went to the Santiago Apóstol Hospital in Miranda on Monday chained from the neck to the hands. Security personnel reported to officers that she had been held against her will at the suspect’s residence, where she endured multiple blows and attempts to choke her.
Assault and unlawful restraint
The offender offered to escort the victim from the hospital, where a friend was caring for her, with the intention of taking her home. Instead, he led her to his own residence and the situation intensified. Police describe these events as they continued to gather evidence on Wednesday.
When the victim regained consciousness, she reported a noose-like rope around her neck and an attempt to strangle her by the attacker. She described being assaulted, struck in the face, and verbally abused. The assailant then restrained her with chains that bound her wrists and neck.
The victim used a moment of distraction to escape and find shelter with relatives. The Family and Women’s Unit, UFAM, assisted her at the hospital on Monday, provided medical attention, and alerted authorities, who identified the suspect and issued an arrest warrant.