Spanish Supreme Court Upholds 14-Year Sentence for Grandfather in Child Abuse Case

The Supreme Court has upheld a 14-year prison sentence for a man who abused his two granddaughters. The ruling reinforces how Spanish courts handle evidence in cases of sexual abuse within families.

The man, who was between 66 and 75 years old at the time of the crimes, owned a hospitality business in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. He abused the girls, then aged 6 to 14, during weekends when he had custody. He used psychological threats to keep them silent, warning them that speaking out would destroy their family.

In addition to the prison term, the court ordered him to pay 60,000 euros in compensation—45,000 to one victim and 15,000 to the other—as requested by the prosecution. This decision confirms previous rulings from the Provincial Court and the High Court of Justice of the Canary Islands.

During his appeal, the man argued that the victims’ testimonies were inconsistent and lacked objective evidence. He also attempted to discredit psychological reports that linked the girls' behavioral issues—such as social withdrawal and rebelliousness—to the abuse, suggesting other possible causes.

The Supreme Court rejected these arguments, stating that the lower courts had evaluated the evidence thoroughly and logically. The justices noted that minor inconsistencies in a victim's account do not necessarily mean they are lying, especially when the core of their story remains consistent.

The court emphasized that in cases involving minors, the law prioritizes the victim's protection. It recognized that trauma from abuse within a family often manifests in psychological ways that require professional treatment, as was documented in this case. By dismissing the appeal, the Supreme Court has reaffirmed that witness testimony and expert reports are sufficient to prove such crimes when they provide a clear and logical account of the events.