The Public Prosecutor's Office in Gran Canaria is pursuing a stringent 15-year prison sentence for a Moroccan man identified as KeM, who stands accused of committing a heinous act of sexual assault involving a minor under the age of 15. This case is currently being addressed in the ordinary summary proceedings at the Court of Instruction No. 2 in San Bartolomé de Tirajana. Beyond the prison sentence, the prosecution is also advocating for accessory measures and civil compensation amounting to €20,000, aimed at addressing the emotional and physical damages inflicted upon the young victim.
The troubling events reportedly took place on the night of July 24, 2023, when the defendant, who was in Spain illegally, encountered the 15-year-old victim, referred to as IPF, while she was in the company of her cousin near the park adjacent to the Puerto Rico Shopping Center. Following a brief interaction, the group decided to head to the Arizona residential complex, where the alleged assault occurred in the early hours of July 25, 2023. According to the prosecution's summary, around 1:10 a.m., the defendant forcefully restrained the victim, removing her underwear and subjecting her to non-consensual vaginal penetration.
The consequences of this horrific act have left the victim with numerous physical injuries, including bruises on her arms, legs, and thighs, as well as abrasions and injuries to her genital area. Furthermore, she has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, which is expected to require an estimated average stabilization period of 180 days. The prosecution highlights that the victim has experienced a temporary loss of quality of life for a period of 10 days, alongside a basic loss impacting her well-being for an extended duration of 170 days, contributing to moderate long-term effects from the trauma.
In light of these facts, the prosecution firmly asserts that the actions of KeM constitute the crime of sexual assault against a minor under 16 years of age with penetration, as outlined in the relevant sections of the Penal Code, which have been recently updated by Organic Law 4/2023. The defendant has been in pretrial detention since November 7, 2023, and is facing a multitude of legal repercussions. In addition to the lengthy prison term sought, the prosecution is also requesting a complete disqualification from holding public office during the sentence, a supervised release period of 10 years post-incarceration, and a 20-year prohibition on engaging in any activities that would involve regular contact with minors.
Moreover, the prosecution is aiming for a restraining order that would prevent the defendant from approaching within 500 meters of the victim or communicating with her for the same duration. Following the completion of two-thirds of the prison sentence, they are advocating for the defendant's deportation from Spain, accompanied by an eight-year ban on re-entry. Lastly, the prosecution seeks to impose court costs on the defendant and requires him to compensate the victim, IPF, with €20,000 for the emotional and physical distress caused, along with legal interest accrued at an increased rate of two percentage points.
As reported by maspalomas24h.uk.
