Boy, 11, 'sexually assaulted' in front of horrified family on Tenerife holiday

03 October 2023 , 13:18

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The boy was reportedly assaulted on the Canary Island (Image: Getty Images/Collection Mix: Subjects RF)

Spanish police have launched a probe after an 11-year-old Irish boy with autism was allegedly sexually assaulted on the holiday island of Tenerife.

The incident is understood to have taken place at a popular hotel in Costa Adeje on September 18. During the alleged sexual assault, a man reportedly put his hands on the outside of the boy’s trousers. The 11-year-old, had been playing pool with other children beforehand and footage of the incident is understood to have been captured on the hotel’s CCTV.

The alleged sexual assault also happened in full view of the victim’s family. A member of the victim’s family then chased the assailant from the hotel. The suspect, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is believed to have been loitering around the property for a number of days before the alleged assault.

The alleged perpetrator has since been arrested by the Policia Nacional and is currently before the courts in Tenerife in relation to the incident. A source said: “The family are shocked and appalled at what has happened. What was a lovely family holiday quickly turned into a holiday from hell.

“They are horrified that the attack took place right in front of their eyes. One of the family members chased the man from the hotel. The last couple of days of their holiday was spent between the police station and the courthouse. They want to warn other families holidaying in Tenerife to keep an eye on their children at all times because this happened in the blink of an eye.

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"The family would also like to thank the Spanish police for their guidance and help through the difficult process. The family has been told to keep their passports at the ready in case they need to fly back to Tenerife to give evidence.”

Rachel Hagan