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American rape victim thanks Spanish attacker for not murdering her
The young student was brutalised on a trip to Barcelona back in 2023
“I thought these were my last moments and I prayed to God.” This was part of a harrowing opening statement made by the young victim of a brutal sexual assault in Barcelona's Poble Espanyol during the early hours of March 11, 2023.
The trial has begun this week to seek justice for the American student, who was just 19 and studying in Spain at the time of her attack. Heartbreakingly, she actually thanked her attacked in court for not killing her.
The victim gave her testimony on Wednesday January 29 from a separate room and the court heard that the incident occurred during a night out with friends at the Input nightclub. She testified that as she was going outside for a cigarette, a staff member directed her to an area at the back of the club, through an emergency exit.
Once outside, she said he started touching her and closed the emergency door. She struggled and shouted and her attacker fled the scene and left her in the deserted Poble Espanyol grounds without any way of re-entering the club.
Thankfully, she had her phone and was able to use Google Maps to find out where she was.
"I walked in different directions where it said I could get out, but everything was closed. At this point I was starting to get scared,” she explained.
It was at this point that the young woman again stumbled across her attacker, who approached her while holding a rock over his head.
"I told him 'please no' and started screaming." The next thing she remembers is her phone flying, she fell to the ground, and although she lost consciousness for a moment, she woke up feeling the rock hitting her head and subsequently knew that he was going to rape her.
The victim described the brutal sexual assault in minute detail and then recalled that she heard the defendant walking away, so she stood up and ran towards the nightclub.
The accused staff member had only been working in the club for a couple of weeks. He testified that he “does not remember” touching the girl and that he returned to the club after smoking. He claims that she chose to stay outside alone.
CCTV footage shows the victim staggering around and looking “disoriented” seconds after the attack. Moreover, the defendant has an extensive criminal record for violent crimes, including threats and domestic abuse.
The prosecution is asking for 19 and a half years in prison for the accused: 12 for sexual assault, 4 for assault and 3 years and 6 months for the violent robbery of the girl's mobile phone and handbag, which contained her passport. It is also asking for compensation of more than 69,000 euros for moral damages, injuries and aesthetic damage caused.
The trial is expected to conclude this week.
Also of interest: American tourist found dead in Málaga was a Boston priest
Image: Ciutat de la Justicia
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