Taxi Driver Escapes Prison After Sexually Assaulting British Tourist in Magaluf
An Indian-born taxi driver who sexually assaulted a British holidaymaker in Magaluf, telling her it was 'how things are done in Spain', has escaped a prison sentence. Ranjit Singh, 29, touched the 33-year-old woman's breasts and between her legs during a taxi ride in the early hours of October 3, 2023. However, he was let off with a fine by a court in the Majorcan capital Palma on Friday after admitting wrongdoing as part of a last-minute plea deal.
Details of the Assault and Deceptive Route Change
The tourist's friend hailed Singh's taxi to help her return safely to her hotel after she had been drinking heavily in Magaluf's party strip Punta Ballena. In a pre-trial indictment, prosecutors stated that the friend called the cab 'due to her state and to protect her'. However, the rogue cabbie switched routes and took her to Palma airport instead after demanding €50 upfront and instructing her to sit in the front passenger seat.
The prosecution detailed: 'The accused, taking advantage of an inebriated woman who was alone in a place she didn't know, changed the agreed route and took the motorway towards the airport.' During the journey, with lascivious intent, he touched her breasts and groin over her clothes and attempted to kiss her. Upon reaching the airport, Singh told the woman to get out and remarked, 'This is how things are done in Spain so get used to it.'
Legal Outcome and Victim's Trauma
Public prosecutors had sought a three-year jail sentence for Singh, arguing he exploited the woman's vulnerable state. Instead, the court ordered Singh to pay his victim €5,000 (£4,335) in compensation and imposed a €2,800 (£2,500) fine. The plea deal was finalized at the eleventh hour between his lawyer, a prosecutor, and the victim's representative, leading to his guilty plea.
The victim required counselling for severe anxiety and depression and suffered from persistent flashbacks following the traumatic incident. This case highlights ongoing concerns about tourist safety in popular holiday destinations and the legal repercussions for such assaults.
