Verdict Reached in Child Sexual Assault Case
The man accused of repeatedly assaulting a nine-year-old child with hearing challenges over a period of more than six months admitted to the charges at a recent hearing. The Valencia regional court’s Second Division accepted a sentence of ten and a half years in prison along with an additional seven years of supervised release. At the outset, prosecutors considered a broader charge that included the display of pornographic material, which could have increased the penalty to thirteen years in prison. He did not affirm this particular accusation, and he was acquitted on that count.
The defendant offered a brief apology during the oral proceedings, stating that he wished to express remorse to both the minor and his family. He characterized his actions as stemming from a violation of his own control and described his conduct as a manifestation of a deep-seated impulse. The charging documents reflect that he acknowledged having had penetrative contact with the minor and taking advantage of a close relationship with the victim’s family, including the sense of familiarity that led him to regard the child as if he were a brother.
Clarifying Legal Definitions Under the Yes Means Yes Framework
Despite the case describing the conduct as sexual assault, the court applied the contemporary standard that emphasizes consent as central to sexual activity. This framework, commonly referred to as the Yes Is Yes principle, can yield more favorable outcomes for defendants when applicable. In this instance, the court considered that there was no intimidation tactic used by the defendant to press forward with the acts, and the resulting classification shifted from an ongoing abuse designation to a sexual assault charge under the updated statute. As a result, the sentence was adjusted to ten and a half years in prison.
The offenses occurred between March 2020 and November 2021 in the Safor municipality. To protect the minor’s anonymity, the newspaper refrained from disclosing identifying details. The 33-year-old defendant exploited the minor’s regular visits to his home, a situation arising from his friendship with the child’s family. At times, the defendant housed the child and shared a room with him, even asking the child to keep the events secret by describing them as a private matter.
The victim’s hearing impairment and resulting gaps in cognitive and emotional development are noted as factors in the case. Prosecutors stress that the emotional and behavioral issues observed in the child may be linked to the repeated abusive experiences disclosed during the proceedings.
As part of the resolution, the defendant was prohibited from approaching the victim within a distance of 500 meters for a period of eight years. He also agreed to satisfy the legal liability through a monetary settlement of 25 thousand euros, payable from income earned while incarcerated in a penal facility.