A Spanish man has been sentenced to nine years in prison for the rape, beating and robbery of a 73-year-old British woman in Tenerife eight years ago while she was on holiday
A 73-year-old British woman was savagely raped, beaten and robbed while holidaying in southern Tenerife.
Her assailant gained entry to her holiday flat after scaling a 6ft wall before physically and sexually attacking her. He subsequently threatened her and made off with cash, jewellery and her keys. The items had been kept in a small safe within a wardrobe.
The horrific crime occurred eight years ago but has only now emerged due to a trial on the island. The perpetrator of the rape, which took place on May 13, 2018, has been handed a nine-year jail term. The conviction relied on definitive DNA evidence and CCTV footage in which the victim identified him.
The defence barrister sought his client’s acquittal after branding the biological evidence a “peripheral element” and called for criminal mitigation due to undue delays.
Nevertheless, medical professionals confirmed the presence of multiple injuries and bruising on the woman entirely consistent with her account of events. They stated it was “a trillion times more likely that the DNA belongs to the accused than to anyone else.”
The British woman tragically passed away seven months following the assault but had previously provided testimony against the man.
The court heard she would spend extended periods in Tenerife to avoid the UK climate. Her flat was located in the southern resort of Arona. The victim, who suffered from COPD, endured almost two hours of sexual assault and violence before being taken to hospital in Santa Cruz.
She informed police her attacker only ceased after accessing the safe containing her money and jewellery. He intimidated her to such an extent that she was compelled to reveal the combination. She also told officers that the man displayed no indication of being intoxicated by alcohol or substances.
The woman passed away in January 2019. While the causes of her death were not connected to the assault, her daughter gave evidence at the trial that her mother’s health had declined following the beatings and sexual attacks.
Case delays included one hearing where the accused failed to appear in Tenerife from mainland Spain, alleging he had misplaced his passport and couldn’t travel. A further hearing was adjourned when no plea could be reached.
The 32-year-old Spanish man insisted he was not involved in the assault despite being employed on the island at the time. He stated he departed Tenerife the following day due to hotel work commitments and wasn’t fleeing.
He was detained in Valencia two months following the attack. He had been captured on CCTV cameras within the residential estate and was also recognised by a woman he had robbed nearby that same day.
She provided a detailed description of his clothing, and he was spotted on social media wearing identical torn white trousers, orange jumper and white T-shirt. The assailant has been instructed to pay 33,500 euros to the woman’s relatives and return the jewellery. Additional compensation could also be forthcoming.