Man Sentenced to 16 Years for Sexual Assault and Corruption of Minor in Tenerife

A 52-year-old man has been sentenced to 16 and a half years in prison for the sexual assault and corruption of a minor. The Provincial Court of Santa Cruz de Tenerife also ordered him to pay 50,000 euros in compensation to the victim and placed him under supervised release for 10 years.

The court rejected the defense’s argument that the relationship was consensual. Judges emphasized that the 40-year age gap and the man’s position of authority made consent impossible. Under Spanish law, minors under 16 are protected from such abuse regardless of whether physical force is used. The court also ruled that the crimes of sexual assault and corruption of a minor are distinct, as they violate different legal protections regarding physical integrity and digital privacy.

The crimes occurred between September and October 2023. The man, who was the father of one of the victim’s friends, used a fake social media profile to contact the girl. Once his identity was discovered, he coerced her into clandestine meetings. Investigators secured a conviction by recovering deleted digital evidence, which proved the man had exchanged sexual content and pressured the victim to create pornographic material.

The court noted the severe psychological toll on the victim, who was already grieving the recent death of her father. Expert reports confirmed she suffered from depression and anxiety, which the court attributed to the man’s manipulation.

While prosecutors had requested a 19-year sentence, the court ultimately handed down 10 and a half years for the sexual assault and six years for the corruption of a minor. The ruling highlights how critical digital forensics and expert testimony are in proving these cases, especially when defendants attempt to blame the victim for the abuse.