An Irish holidaymaker has admitted to groping an 18-year-old Swedish teenager in a sauna at a Magaluf hotel while on holiday with her husband. Raphaella Richer Martins Burns, 38, from east County Cork, pleaded guilty to sexual assault on the day of her trial, accepting a plea deal that included a €2,700 (£2,325) fine and €500 (£430) compensation to the victim.
Incident at Hotel Martinique
The assault occurred on June 3, 2025, at the four-star Hotel Martinique in Magaluf, Majorca. Burns entered the hotel's Turkish steam bath and, according to the prosecution's indictment, 'with a lustful spirit, taking advantage of the fact that no-one else was there and against his will, put her hands on his genitals and fondled them until he said: “No, no, no” and left.' The victim reported the incident to hotel staff, who called the police. When officers arrived, they found the teenager visibly upset and took Burns into custody.
From Denial to Guilty Plea
Initially, Burns maintained her innocence, claiming a misunderstanding. In a Spanish court in June 2025, she stated: 'I got horny. I thought he was interested in me too, that we were flirting.' She added: 'I apologised right away. I was very embarrassed, I’m sorry.' Despite earlier indications that she wanted to clear her name at trial, she unexpectedly pleaded guilty via video link at the Audiencia Provincial Court in Palma, avoiding the need to travel to Majorca.
Plea Deal and Sentence
Public prosecutors had originally sought an 18-month prison sentence, but accepted the financial penalty after the guilty plea. Burns will pay a total of €3,200 (£2,755), including compensation. She spent a night in a police cell after her arrest but was released on bail pending trial. Her defence solicitor, Joan Arbos, had argued the incident was a 'simple misunderstanding,' but the prosecution maintained that the victim's consent was not given.
Legal Context
In Spain, prison sentences of two years or less are typically suspended for first-time offenders. Burns's guilty plea and agreement to pay compensation likely contributed to the avoidance of jail time. The case highlights the serious consequences of non-consensual sexual contact, even in settings where the accused may misinterpret the situation.
