A Cuban national has been sentenced to nine years and six months in prison in Spain for attempting to sexually assault a domestic worker. During the attack, he injured her with a knife when she resisted and stole the money she had in her purse.
The incident took place around noon on July 28, 2022, as the woman was leaving her workplace in the town of Aspe, Alicante, located in the Comunidad Valenciana, according to local media. The man confronted her with a large kitchen knife, approximately 20 centimeters long, and forced her back into the house where he tried to assault her.
Despite her efforts to defend herself, the aggressor stabbed her in the arm and took 140 euros from her bag before fleeing the scene, threatening her not to report the crime, as stated in the Alicante Court ruling. After the victim's family alerted authorities, the Civil Guard's Judicial Police arrested the Cuban man on July 29 near his home in Aspe. The knife and bloodstained clothing he wore during the attack were found at his residence, reported the crime news portal Información.
During his trial on May 5, held at the Second Section of the Alicante Court, the 38-year-old defendant, who has a criminal record for a similar offense, admitted to the charges as part of an agreement with the prosecution and the victim's legal representation. The court found him guilty of attempted sexual assault, imposing a five-year and six-month prison sentence. He received an additional two years for robbery with violence and two more years for causing injury with a dangerous weapon.
Moreover, he was ordered to compensate the victim with 38,000 euros (approximately 42,200 dollars) for the harm inflicted. The Cuban, identified by the initials R.P.A., had previously been sentenced in 2017 by the Alicante Court to four and a half years for sexually assaulting another woman. That incident occurred on June 27, 2016, when he broke into the victim's home, whom he barely knew, and attempted to force her into performing a sexual act. Fortunately, she managed to escape and seek help from neighbors.
The Alicante court determined that two-thirds of the sentence should be served, with the remaining third substituted by deportation from Spain, as he lacked legal residency in the country. This sentence was upheld by the Spanish Supreme Court in 2018, and he completed it in 2021. However, he reoffended shortly after being released.
Following his arrest in July 2022, the digital news site Información revealed that the Cuban man has been in Spain for two decades, living "itinerantly." He has resided in Aspe since at least 2009, according to one of his past convictions, and holds a residence permit. Additionally, it was noted that he "lives alone in a house without electricity and has no known occupation or family."
Key Details About the Cuban Man's Sentencing in Spain
What was the Cuban man's sentence in Spain?
He was sentenced to nine years and six months in prison for attempted sexual assault, robbery with violence, and causing injury with a dangerous weapon.
Where did the attempted assault take place?
The incident occurred in the town of Aspe, Alicante, within the Comunidad Valenciana in Spain.
Did the Cuban man have a prior criminal record?
Yes, he had a prior conviction for a similar sexual assault offense in 2017.
What additional penalties were imposed on the Cuban man?
Besides prison time, he must compensate the victim with 38,000 euros and will be deported from Spain after serving part of his sentence.