A 73-year-old British woman was viciously assaulted, sexually assaulted, and robbed while vacationing in the southern part of Tenerife.
The perpetrator gained access to her apartment by scaling a 6-foot wall before physically and sexually attacking her. He proceeded to threaten her and steal money, jewelry, and her keys from a small safe hidden in a wardrobe.
This appalling incident occurred eight years ago but recently surfaced during a trial on the island. The individual responsible for the assault, which occurred on May 13, 2018, has been sentenced to nine years in prison.
His conviction was supported by definitive DNA analysis and footage from security cameras where the victim identified him.
Despite the defense attorney arguing for his client’s acquittal, citing the biological test as a minor factor, medical experts confirmed the presence of injuries on the woman consistent with the reported events. They stated that the DNA match with the accused was overwhelmingly likely.
The British woman tragically passed away seven months post-attack, with her death unrelated to the crime. However, she courageously testified against the perpetrator earlier.
The court was informed that she frequently stayed in Tenerife to avoid the UK climate. Her residence was in the Arona resort in southern Tenerife. Suffering from COPD, she endured nearly two hours of assault and was hospitalized in Santa Cruz.
She recounted that the assailant ceased his actions only after coercing her to reveal the safe code containing money and jewelry. She noted that he showed no signs of intoxication during the ordeal.
Although her demise in January 2019 was not tied to the assault, her daughter testified that her health deteriorated following the beatings and assaults.
The 32-year-old Spanish attacker denied involvement in the assault, claiming he was working on the island at the time and left Tenerife the following day for work-related reasons.
He was apprehended in Valencia two months later after being captured on residential complex CCTV and identified by a nearby robbery victim. The woman provided detailed information about his attire, which matched social media images showing him in ripped white trousers, an orange sweatshirt, and a white t-shirt.
The court has mandated the attacker to compensate the woman’s heirs with 33,500 euros and return the stolen jewelry, with additional reparations likely.
