Spanish police arrest 46-year-old surf instructor accused of assaulting ten minors in Alicante

How the case came to light

Spanish National Police said they arrested a 46-year-old man who worked as an instructor for a surf club in the province of Alicante. The investigation started after the director of a Spanish-language school filed a complaint. She reported a group of German students who had travelled to Alicante on an exchange to practise Spanish. During a paddle surf activity, several of the minors were allegedly touched in their intimate areas by one of the instructors. The complaint set off the police inquiry that led to the arrest.

What the victims told investigators

Officers first focused on identifying the alleged victims and then took their statements. According to those accounts, the affected girls agreed that the same instructor was the alleged perpetrator. The statements described the touching as not accidental but unnecessary and very unpleasant. Some of the girls also confronted him about his behaviour during the session, according to the reports.

The arrest and referral to court

Once they had identified the suspect, officers set up an operation in which they detained him. Police said he is suspected of taking part in ten offences of sexual assault. Europa Press reports that ten minors were affected, while ABC, citing sources close to the investigation, puts the figure at up to ten offences. After the police procedures, the man was placed at the disposal of the investigating courts on duty in Alicante.

What the reports leave open

Both reports describe the paddle surf activity but neither gives the date on which it took place. The reports also do not say whether a court has yet decided on custody or formal charges. The allegations remain unproven, and the man is only suspected at this stage of the case.