The Honduran pilgrim who has gone to trial against a massage therapist in Caldas de Reis, Pontevedra, for sexual abuse has testified in court that she feared the touching during a session could lead to something more serious. The case has been sent to be decided, with the Penal Court number 1 of Pontevedra awaiting a verdict. The massage professional faces a potential two-year prison sentence as the prosecution argues that the account given by the complainant is credible, noting that a separate, similar accusation had already brought him before the courts in January of the previous year.
According to the testimony delivered in the trial, the complainant had been walking the Camino de Santiago when she sought services from the therapist to relieve pain in her legs and back. At the outset in the clinic, she described the experience as normal, but a shift occurred when the therapist pressed his thumb into her mouth to address supposed jaw issues and then began to touch her chest. Fear grew as she perceived something highly irregular and she became increasingly anxious, worried that the session might escalate. The therapist allegedly slipped his hands underneath her underwear and asked her to remove her underwear as well, though she resisted. He concluded the session and, while she dressed, reportedly commented on her breasts in a way that intensified her discomfort.
Outside the clinic, the woman sought to mislead the therapist by telling fellow pilgrims that she was accompanied, intending to prevent pursuit. She later shared the incident with other pilgrims, who advised her to contact the Guardia Civil. The following day, while resuming her journey, she encountered a patrol of the Benemérita that was part of a separate operation to locate another person in connection with a sexual assault case. She seized the moment to recount what had occurred and proceeded to file a formal complaint with the Civil Guard.
Upon reaching Padrón, she disclosed the incident at the hostel where she was staying, with staff and other guests noting her distress as she arrived visibly shaken and tearful. Hostel owners identified the masseur, acknowledging that there had been rumors about his inappropriate conduct in the past.
The accused denies the charges
The defendant has rejected the allegations and attempted to cast doubt on the complainant, suggesting she feigned distress for dramatic effect and questioning her credibility. He expressed feeling utterly defenseless and indicated he may consider leaving his professional work. He remarked that he was at the mercy of what others might say. This marks his first confrontation with such a problem, a claim that the prosecutor challenged by revealing a prior similar case against him in Caldas de Reis in January. The prosecution finds the complainant’s testimony credible and consistent, aligning with other corroborating evidence that supports the claim of sexual misconduct beyond professional boundaries.
In applying their case, the prosecution asserts a four-year sentence in favor of full accountability and argues that the victim’s narrative is coherent and well-supported by multiple lines of evidence, leaving little doubt about the inappropriate overstepping of professional boundaries. The defense contends for outright acquittal, arguing that there are important contradictions in the woman’s testimony and that a conviction would ruin the defendant’s life by putting him on a sexual offender registry. In addition to the two-year prison term, the prosecution seeks a five-year special disqualification as a sexual offender.
The court record underscores that beyond the immediate incident there are broader questions about safeguarding standards in professional touch-based therapies along the Camino routes and the need for clear therapeutic boundaries. The case illustrates how vulnerable travelers can be in unfamiliar environments and how witnesses and bystanders play crucial roles in reporting and documenting alleged abuse. As proceedings continue, the focus remains on establishing the credibility of the complainant, the context of the actions, and whether the evidence confirms a breach of professional duty that amounts to sexual abuse.
At stake is not only the immediate outcome for the defendant but also the broader conversation about consent, power dynamics in healing professions, and the importance of safeguarding protocols in small communities and long-distance pilgrimages alike. The authorities emphasize careful examination of all testimony, the consistency of accounts across multiple sources, and the availability of corroborative material to ensure that justice is appropriately administered. The case stands as a reminder of the imperative to protect victims while ensuring fair treatment for all involved, with sentencing to reflect the severity and specifics of the conduct if conviction is achieved. (Source: court records and local reporting on the Pontevedra case.)