British Tourist, 73, Raped and Robbed in Tenerife Holiday Apartment
A 73-year-old British woman was brutally raped, beaten, and robbed while on holiday in the south of Tenerife, in a horrifying attack that has only recently come to light after an eight-year delay in the judicial process. The assailant, a 32-year-old Spanish man, has been sentenced to nine years in prison following a trial that concluded with overwhelming evidence against him.
Details of the Violent Assault
The attack occurred on May 13, 2018, in the resort area of Arona, where the victim frequently stayed to escape the UK weather. The perpetrator gained entry to her holiday apartment by climbing a six-foot-high wall. Once inside, he subjected her to nearly two hours of physical and sexual assault, inflicting various wounds and contusions that were later certified by medical experts.
After the assault, the attacker threatened the woman and forced her to reveal the code to a small safe stored in a wardrobe. He stole money, jewellery, and her keys before fleeing the scene. The victim reported to police that the man showed no signs of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs during the ordeal.
Conviction Based on DNA and CCTV Evidence
The conviction was secured through conclusive DNA analysis and security camera recordings, in which the victim positively identified her attacker. Medical professionals testified that it was "a trillion times more likely that the DNA belongs to the accused than to anyone else." Despite the defence lawyer's attempts to dismiss the biological test as a "peripheral element" and request acquittal, the court upheld the evidence.
Additional corroboration came from a woman who had been mugged nearby on the same day; she provided a detailed description of the attacker's clothing—ripped white trousers, an orange sweatshirt, and a white T-shirt—which matched images found on social media and CCTV footage from the residential complex.
Delays and Legal Proceedings
The case faced significant delays, including one hearing where the defendant failed to appear from the Spanish mainland, claiming he had lost his passport and could not travel. Another hearing was postponed due to an inability to agree on a plea. The attacker was arrested in Valencia two months after the assault, having left Tenerife the following day under the pretext of work commitments in hotels.
Tragically, the victim died in January 2019, seven months after the attack. Although her death was not directly linked to the assault, her daughter testified that her health had deteriorated significantly following the beatings and rapes. The woman had been hospitalised in Santa Cruz after the incident and suffered from COPD, which may have been exacerbated by the trauma.
Sentencing and Compensation
The court has ordered the attacker to pay 33,500 euros in compensation to the woman's heirs and to return the stolen jewellery, with the possibility of further compensation pending. The sentence reflects the severity of the crimes, which included rape, robbery, and physical violence, highlighting the long-awaited justice for the victim and her family after years of legal hurdles.
