The Supreme Court has affirmed a ruling that a man and a woman were sentenced to sixteen years in prison for repeated moral, physical, and sexual abuse of their three‑year‑old daughter. The offenses included brutal beatings, verbal abuse, threats, and sexual assault within their home in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The case drew attention to a pattern of violence that spanned several months and caused profound harm to the child’s well‑being and development.
The Criminal Division upheld the sentence, declining the couple’s appeal against the decision of the Las Palmas court, which had previously concurred with the Canary Islands Supreme Court. The courts also imposed a prohibition on approaching or communicating with minors for sixteen years, in addition to the prison term.
The testimony of two relatives, including the accused’s sister and a niece who lived with the family, helped establish the extent of the abuse. One witness recorded an audio clip from a separate room to preserve evidence of the alleged incidents before reporting them to authorities. This decision became a linchpin in the case, illustrating how family witnesses can provide critical documentation in sensitive situations.
The abuse occurred from January to May of 2016, a period during which the three‑year‑old daughter endured ongoing physical and psychological harm at her residence in Las Palmas. The daughter experienced constant coercive mistreatment, while the mother directed loud insults, shouts, and humiliation at the child, inflicting pain through repeated physical contact. The language used by the mother during a May 26, 2016, incident included demeaning insults and threats that aimed to humiliate the child in public spaces such as a park, contributing to a climate of fear and distress.
Throughout these events, the father did not intervene to stop the harm. Instead, he participated in approving the abusive treatment and, on occasion, engaged in drug use with the mother. Reports indicate that the family’s routine included irregular bathing, significant neglect, and severe malnutrition, all of which compounded the child’s vulnerability and left lasting marks on her health and development.
Beyond the physical and verbal abuse, allegations of sexual abuse by the father emerged, with the conviction stating that he assaulted his own daughter. The exact number of incidents remained unspecified, but the court found the acts were perpetrated within the family setting, with the mother’s awareness and facilitation playing a central role in enabling the abuse. The parents contended that the minor had not testified at the oral hearing and was not heard in the expected testimony, raising questions about how best to protect young witnesses while ensuring fair proceedings.
In its reasoning, the Supreme Court noted expert assessments advising that the child should not be required to recount traumatic experiences personally. Given the child’s age, the court emphasized the need for testimony and findings to be provided through appropriately arranged professionals and specialized evaluations to minimize potential harm to the minor. The court also acknowledged the importance of protecting the child from further secondary victimization and the long‑term impact on the child’s personality development, while still preserving access to essential evidence, such as recorded testimony where appropriate.
Support for the court’s approach highlighted the delicate balance between safeguarding the welfare of a vulnerable minor and upholding the integrity of the legal process. The decision underscored the judiciary’s responsibility to shield young witnesses from retraumatization, particularly in cases involving parental violence and sexual abuse. It reflected a broader commitment to child protection and to ensuring that justice is pursued without compromising the child’s immediate safety and long‑term mental health. The outcome stands as a stark reminder of the severe consequences of domestic abuse and the enduring impacts on the victims, family dynamics, and community trust in the protection of children.