In Orihuela, a man in his thirties is facing serious criminal charges connected to the kidnapping of his ex-partner, along with threats to kill, violence, and sexual offenses. The case, which was heard in the Alicante Court, culminated in a conviction that will lead to a lengthy prison sentence. The prosecutor’s office, supported by the special prosecutor, argued for a total of 18 years and six months in prison after a trial on Thursday. The defendant pleaded not guilty and claimed the sexual relations with his ex-partner were consensual, while the accuser testified via videoconference in February 2021, detailing the events as she experienced them.
The alleged incidents are dated to February 2 of the previous year and reportedly began at an empty plot of land near the defendant’s residence, between Callosa de Segura and the Orihuela district of San Bartolomé, where the complainant lived in an occupied dwelling. She maintains that an appointment was scheduled after the ex-partner had asked her to withdraw a January complaint alleging mistreatment against him. The following day, the complainant says, more serious acts occurred in connection with that confrontation.
During testimony at the Alicante oral hearing, the complainant described a meal shared with the dog — nine people attended — after which the defendant allegedly pulled a leather whip and a knife, declaring that he would kill her. He is accused not only of death threats but also of assault with the whip and forcing her to have oral sex against her will.
According to the complainant, the couple then traveled to her home in San Bartolomé where she was subjected to threats all night and was assaulted again. She claimed she remained silent out of fear, and the following day the assailant allegedly compelled her to go to the hospital to explain the withdrawal of the January complaint. The sequence of events is said to have occurred under coercive pressure and control.
Both described traveling by commuter train from the Callosa de Segura station and arriving at the Orihuela Courts, where the accused separated from the party and entered the building alone. Upon entering, she says, she pressed a civilian guard for help, seeking support and not to be left alone in that moment of distress.
Emergency responders and the first local police on the scene reported the woman appearing extremely distressed and nervous during the hearing. She disclosed that the ex-partner had previously kidnapped her the night before and forced her to drop the complaint while coercing her into sexual relations.
The police continued the arrest, initially for violating a restraining order, but additional charges were added once the victim provided a fuller account of the events. The defendant, by contrast, acknowledged the restraining-order violation but contested the sexual assault and illegal detention allegations, arguing that the incidents were linked to a fight that arose from mutual jealousy and not from a pattern of abuse.
The defendant’s mother also attended the hearing as a witness, recounting a separate piece of the story in which she claimed the ex-wife was held against her will the night before and that a neighbor recorded a conversation in which she discussed withdrawing the complaint. She stated that her son had faced unfair accusations and that his family believed he deserved support rather than contempt, insisting the case had been mishandled.
The Prosecutor’s Office asked for a combined sentence totaling 25 years for multiple offenses including two sexual assaults and related charges of illegal detention, mistreatment, breach of court orders, coercion, and threats. The prosecutors ultimately adjusted the request to 18 years and six months, describing the acts as ongoing felonies rather than discrete incidents. The special prosecutor aligned with the prosecution’s position, while the defense argued for acquittal, asserting that the complainant’s testimony contained inconsistencies and that the alleged beating never occurred. The defense attributed the alleged injuries to a separate past incident connected to the earlier suspension and suggested a quarrel rooted in jealousy.
Throughout the proceedings, the narrative emphasized a pattern of fear and control, with the complainant detailing threats and coercive conduct that extended beyond a single episode. The case has highlighted the trauma endured by the victim and the complexity of corroborating testimony in cases involving intimate partners. The court’s decision reflects a careful weighing of the evidence and the credibility of the testimonies presented by both sides.
The trial also explored the dynamics of restraining orders and how they are enforced, alongside the responsibilities of law enforcement to intervene when safety concerns arise. Legal observers note that cases of this nature require rigorous examination of testimonies, forensic evidence where available, and a careful interpretation of threat language and coercive behavior. The outcome underscores the seriousness with which such offenses are treated within the judicial system and the ongoing commitment to protecting potential victims within domestic settings.
The broader context of the case involves questions about how best to respond to accusations of sexual violence and the balance between safeguarding the rights of the accused and ensuring the safety and dignity of victims. Observers will be watching closely for any related appellate actions, anticipated by the parties as they navigate the next steps in the legal process. The proceedings illustrate the challenges inherent in adjudicating crimes linked to intimate relationships, where personal history and social dynamics can influence both perception and memory. [Citation: Alicante Court records; Prosecutor’s Office filing; Special Prosecutor submissions]