A 50-year-old man has been arrested by the Guardia Civil on suspicion of sexual assault, unlawful detention, assault, physical and psychological abuse, and offences against moral integrity, all within the context of gender violence.
The investigation began following a complaint filed at the Guardia Civil barracks in Villalbilla (Madrid) last Friday, January 26. The woman alleged that she had been held against her will on a farm, where she was subjected to sexual and physical abuse by her partner. The victim had visible injuries and marks on various parts of her body.
Given the seriousness of the allegations, specialist Judicial Police officers travelled to the hospital where the woman was being treated and corroborated her account. The agents also discovered that the victim had suffered a miscarriage, which according to the medical examiner could be linked to the beatings she had sustained.
Given the high level of violence employed by the suspect, the Guardia Civil requested a search warrant for the property where the alleged crimes took place. The warrant was granted and the search was conducted on Friday afternoon.
During the search, officers discovered a hidden underground room with stairs, matching the description provided by the victim. Inside the room, they found a large number of zip ties, knives, and an air rifle. The environment was extremely unsanitary, with a significant amount of accumulated dirt and clutter.
The 50-year-old man, who has a history of previous criminal offenses, was arrested by the Guardia Civil. He was subsequently placed at the disposal of the investigating judge at Court No. 3 in Alcalá de Henares, who ordered his pre-trial detention.
This is the latest in a series of tragic cases of domestic violence in Spain, which has seen a rise in reported incidents in recent years.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please reach out for help. You are not alone. There are many resources available to support you, including the National Domestic Violence Hotline, which can be reached at:
1-800-799-7233
