San Sebastian masseur denies allegations of sexual assault

The Public Prosecutor's Office and the individual indictments request 45 years' imprisonment for the Donostiarra masseur for a crime of sexual assault against three minors aged 13, 14 and 15, while the accused has pleaded not guilty and explained that it was the teenagers themselves who asked for the massages.

On the fourth day of the trial at the Gipuzkoa High Court for the events of 2021, the Public Prosecutor's Office and the victims' lawyers have presented their final conclusions, while the defence has requested the full acquittal of the accused.

Although the trial was scheduled to end on Thursday, due to the absence of a witness, the court has decided to hold a new session to collect reports from the parties, which will take place this Friday.

Statement by the masseur

The defendant's statement has occupied most of today's session. He admits that he massaged the three teenagers, but in a "natural and normal" manner, without any sexual assault. He also admits that he acted without parents or other adults, but explains that the teenagers were never alone, as they went in pairs.

He claims that the massages were requested by teenagers and that they were done "as a favor". He also denies having bought a sex toy, which his wife claims to have done. He also denies conversations with victims through social media and messaging apps, suggesting that they could be confused with his son because at one point he had both phone cards on the same phone.

He has acknowledged that he did not explain this situation when he was arrested in order to protect his son. On the content of the conversations, he has stated that he only saw some "overhead" and did not notice the details until the start of the trial. He has only admitted having written the same two messages to offer a massage session to a victim's mother in connection with a social media draw.

Assessment of psychologists

The trial was also attended by two psychologists from the psychosocial team of the Administration of Justice, who presented an expert report on the situation of the victims, who stated that only one of the victims had shown psychological consequences, which were not "very significant".

However, they clarify that in the other two minors there have been no symptoms of anxiety, depression or post-traumatic symptoms, but this does not rule out that such effects may appear in the medium or long term. They also recall that there are cases of "very resilient" people who, despite experiencing severe situations of violence, do not show significant symptoms.