A judge in Benidorm has ordered a man to be remanded in custody without bail following his arrest for sexually assaulting his partner while subject to a restraining order. The victim reported particularly violent attacks, stating that the suspect used a rear-naked chokehold to suffocate her and also bit her. The assaults were recorded on video. The Public Prosecutor’s Office requested his immediate imprisonment due to the severity of the alleged crimes and repeated breaches of the protection order, deeming it the only way to ensure the victim’s safety. Represented by lawyer Francisco González, the defendant exercised his right to remain silent, only briefly denying the allegations.
The defence lawyer has announced plans to appeal against the pretrial detention, describing the measure as disproportionate on the grounds that the encounters were mutually agreed upon. The defence intends to request a forensic expert analysis of the video footage to evaluate whether the accused has any psychological disorder. Both individuals reportedly made recordings that captured some of the alleged assaults. An argument also broke out when the accused demanded that the victim delete the video evidence.
According to the complaint, the alleged offences took place between July and August, encompassing multiple incidents of sexual assault, threats, and physical abuse. Specific incidents of rape reportedly occurred on July 24th at around 5:10 p.m. near the Villajoyosa Regional Hospital, on the afternoon of 30th July at the suspect’s residence, and on 1st August near an industrial estate in Villajoyosa. The video footage from these incidents has been submitted as evidence to demonstrate that violence was used.
During the incident on 24th July, the suspect allegedly punched and slapped the victim before attempting to suffocate her using a rear-naked chokehold, a rear strangulation technique capable of causing unconsciousness within seconds. The official complaint detailed allegations of vaginal, anal, and oral sexual assault, noting that threats of anal penetration were repeatedly used to force compliance. The victim also reported that the day before the initial sexual assault, the accused pinched her leg and bit her left hand. The suspect was arrested last week and subsequently remanded in custody on Thursday, 3rd September.
The prosecution stated that extensive evidence, including WhatsApp messages, Instagram posts, call logs, audio recordings, and photos showing physical injuries, substantiates the complaint. The Women’s Violence Unit of the Benidorm Courts had already issued a restraining order against the accused, prohibiting any contact with the victim. He now faces charges of repeated sexual assault, threats, mistreatment, harassment, and breaching a restraining order. The Public Prosecutor’s Office noted that previous precautionary measures had completely failed to deter the suspect, making imprisonment essential to protect the victim and mitigate a potential flight risk given the severe prison sentences he faces.
