Alicante court acquits man over sexual abuse of a minor

The Alicante Provincial Court has acquitted a 51-year-old man accused of abusing a minor in Villajoyosa, finding insufficient evidence that he knew the young female’s true age. The events came to light on 15th November, 2022, after the young woman gave birth at the Marina Baixa Regional Hospital, where it was discovered that she was underage. The young woman had a romantic relationship with the 51-year-old defendant and lived with him, in what appeared to be a stable, cohabiting relationship. Following these events, the Public Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation and filed a complaint for sexual abuse of a minor. During the trial, the young woman testified that she had told the defendant she was over 18. In fact, the man was convinced that this was the case.

The Tenth Section has determined that the young woman had considerable life experience, having previously been in a relationship with another person, and her behaviour and appearance suggested she was older than she actually was. In fact, the ruling emphasises that the accused was unaware she was a minor. They had begun their relationship when she was fifteen.

Sources close to the case explained that the young woman came from a very dysfunctional background, having been sexually assaulted by a family member, after which she was left abandoned. The accused took her into his home, where he also brought her mother. It so happens that a local high school had also opened a disciplinary case against the young woman for truancy, as she had stopped attending classes. This situation also coincided with the registration of the baby at the Civil Registry.

After the birth, the couple continued living together in Villajoyosa, having formed a family unit. The young woman is now of legal age. Given this situation, the court has acquitted the accused of sexual assault, finding that he was unaware of the woman’s true age at the time the relationship began. This ruling is not final and can be appealed to the Civil and Criminal Chamber of the High Court of Justice of the Valencian Community.