A mother has been sentenced to a total of 47 years in prison by the Provincial Court of Almería for sexually exploiting her two daughters when they were minors, with the court finding that she arranged sexual encounters with men in exchange for money.

The sentence, handed down by the Third Section of the Provincial Court of Almería, imposes 18 years in prison for two offences of sexual exploitation and a further 29 years for two sexual assault offences in which the woman was found to have acted as a necessary accomplice.

The judgment is not final and can be appealed.

Events Took Place Between 2021 and 2022

The court found that, on dates that could not be precisely established between 2021 and 2022, the woman arranged meetings between her daughters and several men who have not been identified.

The girls were five and nine years old during the period described in the case. The court found that the encounters took place on several occasions and that money was paid to the mother.

The judgment took into account the particular vulnerability of the girls because of their age, as well as the position of authority the mother held over them.

Evidence Considered by the Court

The court placed significant weight on the pre-recorded testimony of the older daughter, which it described as credible, coherent and consistent.

Her account was supported by other evidence considered during the proceedings, including reports from paediatricians who treated the girls and testimony from the partner of their father, who reported the alleged abuse in May 2023 after learning what had happened.

A psychological assessment by the Márgenes y Vínculos foundation was also considered. The report assessed the victims' testimony as probably credible and identified symptoms compatible with sexual violence.

Mother’s Partner Acquitted

The woman’s sentimental partner was acquitted.

The court found that there was insufficient evidence to establish that he had participated in the encounters or otherwise been involved in the offences. References implicating him were considered too general and abstract to support a conviction.

Additional Penalties

In addition to the prison sentences, the court permanently removed the woman’s parental authority over her daughters.

She was also given ten years of supervised release and a 35-year prohibition on approaching or communicating with the girls.

The judgment imposes two fines of 30 months each, at a daily rate of six euros, in connection with the two sexual exploitation offences.

The woman was also ordered to pay €60,000 in compensation to each daughter, for a total of €120,000.

47-Year Sentence, But a 20-Year Maximum

Although the individual sentences add up to 47 years, the judgment states that the maximum period of imprisonment to be effectively served in this case is 20 years under the applicable provisions of Spain's Penal Code. Article 76 establishes limits on the effective cumulative execution of multiple prison sentences, subject to specified exceptions.

The 47-year figure therefore represents the aggregate of the sentences imposed for the separate offences rather than 47 years of imprisonment that the woman would necessarily serve.

Case Opened After 2023 Report

The proceedings followed a report made in May 2023 by the partner of the girls’ father.

The court subsequently assessed testimony from the victims alongside medical and psychological evidence before reaching its findings.

The identities of the girls have not been made public.

Judgment Can Be Appealed

The sentence is a first-instance ruling and is not yet final. The woman may challenge the judgment through the applicable appeal process.

The court's findings and penalties therefore remain subject to any subsequent decision by a higher court.