The Alicante Court of Appeals acquitted an octogenarian accused of sexually abusing his granddaughter for ten years at the family home in Javea owing to a lack of proof. The court found no proof of abuse, while the defendant stated in court that the claims were false, questioning whether the young woman, who was 17 at the time, reported the incident for retribution or to draw attention.
The young woman was not the defendant’s grandchild; rather, her mother was his son’s love companion. She frequently spent weekends at the defendant’s home and attended a private school operated by him. The claimed abuse took place while they were alone at home, at his office at school, or during family dinners at a restaurant.
The court contends that it has not been shown that the defendant grabbed her while alone with the youngster. According to the verdict, there are no significant discrepancies between the minor’s statements during the trial and the preliminary inquiry, but “the lack of data identifying specific situations is striking.”
Expert’s report
The verdict indicates that despite the fact that the sexual assault lasted 10 years and occurred on multiple occasions in front of the family, “the witnesses saw nothing. Despite the fact that it persisted throughout adolescence, there was no rejection of the defendant within the family.”
Although an expert report supported the credibility of the minor’s testimony, the court questioned its validity, reasoning that “they are effective when they are directed at the testimony of children, especially young ones, but not at people who have reached a higher level of development, as is the case with those who have reached or are approaching 18 years of age.” They also noted that the youngster was as imprecise during the interviews as she was in her assertions.
Author: Derek Appleton
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