Man Sentenced to Nine Years for Violent Assault and Robbery in Tenerife

The Provincial Court of Santa Cruz de Tenerife has sentenced a man to nine and a half years in prison for sexually assaulting, robbing, and injuring a 72-year-old woman in Puerto de la Cruz. In addition to his prison term, the court ordered eight years of supervised release and mandated that he pay €16,100 in compensation for the victim’s physical and psychological injuries, as well as for the stolen property.

The court based its ruling on the victim’s testimony, which judges described as consistent and credible. They found no evidence of any prior relationship or conflict between the two. The attack occurred in the early hours of December 30, 2022, as the woman was walking home. The assailant approached her under the guise of wanting to speak English, then forced himself on her, attempted to sexually assault her, and stole her handbag—which contained cash, electronics, and personal items—during a struggle that left the woman injured.

During the trial, the defense argued that the man suffered from schizophrenia and substance abuse, seeking a reduced sentence. However, forensic experts rejected this claim, concluding that the defendant was taking his prescribed medication at the time and was not experiencing a psychotic episode. The court ruled that he was fully aware of his actions and understood that they were illegal.

The attack has had a lasting impact on the victim, who has required ongoing psychological and medical support. The trauma and physical injuries she sustained have severely affected her quality of life, ultimately leading her to move out of Spain. The defendant is currently serving his sentence at the Tenerife II prison, where he is undergoing a detoxification program.