A 23-year-old man has been sentenced by the Court of Alicante to a prison term for sexually harassing a minor under 16 in Benidorm. The court requires him to serve two years in prison and to reimburse 2,000 euros for non-pecuniary damage suffered by the victim, according to reports from EFE. The decision also includes a provision for the offender to bear the financial consequences of the harm caused to the young person.
The sentence, issued by the 2nd Chamber of the court, places the alleged offenses in August 2020. At the time, the victim was 14 years old. The incidents occurred as the two were on Levante Beach in Benidorm, a popular coastal area frequently visited by locals and tourists alike. The proceedings note that the defendants and the victim were in proximity to water activities and water-ski facilities when the alleged conduct began, at a moment when personal boundaries were crossed in a private manner and without consent.
According to the court record, during a period when both parties were in the water, the defendant allegedly moved toward an area away from the main shoreline and engaged in actions that included kissing the minor and touching her in ways that involved her breasts and genitals, actions described as being against the minor’s will and conducted while clothed but intended to violate her privacy and autonomy.
After the distressing moment, the minor managed to return to shore and escape from the accused. In addition to the acts described, the sentence notes that the defendant later sent a WhatsApp message to the victim in October, stating a desire to view her breasts. He also requested that she send nude photographs in which she could be seen from the neck down, which the minor did not provide.
refused to touch
The defendant admitted to sending those messages during testimony held on February 21 but denied any non-consensual touching or coercion against the girl. He claimed that kissing and any touching he may have done were consensual or misunderstood, and he asserted that he did not know the girl’s age and believed she might be over 17. The court, however, found the victim’s account credible and determined that the minor’s actual age must be regarded as stated at the time of the events.
The court’s assessment concluded that the evidence supported a finding of sexual abuse involving a person under the age of 16. As a result, the sentence imposed includes one year and six months of imprisonment for sexual abuse of a minor, along with three years of probation to monitor compliance and rehabilitation. This framework is designed to address both the immediate harm and the broader need to supervise behavior and prevent future offenses.
Additionally, the case covers a separate accusation related to corrupting a minor by encouraging the girl to send photographs. The court imposed an additional sentence of six months in prison for this offense, with an extra two years of probation linked to the continuation of the probation period established for the first offense. This combination of penalties reflects the judiciary’s stance on upholding the safety and rights of young people and ensuring accountability for actions that exploit vulnerable individuals.
While the defense argued for different interpretations of the events or for the discrediting of certain claims, the judicial process ultimately weighed the testimony and corroborating elements to arrive at a verdict. The case illustrates how courts assess credibility, evaluate evidence from multiple angles, and apply statutory provisions related to sexual offenses involving minors. The decision emphasizes the seriousness with which such acts are treated and the ongoing commitment to protect minors from exploitation, coercion, and harm in both public and private spaces. (EFE)