A Virgin Voyages crew member was marched off his ship and deported after allegedly sexually assaulting his girlfriend, a fellow crew member, while the vessel was docked in Italy. The incident unfolded aboard the Valiant Lady ship at the Port of Palermo on May 20, according to local reports.
Alleged Attack Details
The alleged victim, a 26-year-old Peruvian woman, claimed her boyfriend of three years attacked her after a night of heavy drinking. The couple, both employed on the cruise ship, had been together for years. The woman alleged that her boyfriend turned violent when they returned to their cabin, groping her and then pinning her down in an attempt to sexually assault her. She managed to escape and run for help.
Arrest and Deportation
Italian police arrested the 32-year-old Peruvian man at the port, and he was subsequently placed on a return flight to Peru. The Valiant Lady was docked for 10 days of scheduled maintenance, with no passengers on board at the time. The woman showed police marks on her arms and hands from the alleged attack and was taken to a local hospital for treatment before being released.
Following his arrest, Virgin Voyages suspended and later fired the crew member. He was escorted off the ship and deported. It remains unclear if he has been criminally charged. The Daily Mail contacted Virgin Voyages for comment. The Valiant Lady resumed regular sailing operations on May 25, starting a six-night voyage from Rome to Barcelona.
