A MALAGA priest facing allegations of sexual assault kept ‘hundreds and hundreds’ of assault videos of his victims, a court has heard.
The case only came to light after the priest’s former romantic partner discovered hard drives filled with explicit recordings while the couple were living together in Melilla.
According to investigators, the woman found folders labelled with different women’s names containing videos and images that police later described as showing unconscious women being assaulted.
Policia said she copied the files before eventually handing them to authorities after allegedly failing to get a response from church officials.
The priest, who previously served between 2017 and 2023 in parishes including Ardales, Carratraca and Alora, is now on trial facing multiple charges of sexual abuse, assault and disclosure of secrets.
Meanwhile, prosecutors are seeking a total sentence of 72 years in prison.
During this week’s hearings, officers from the National Police’s UFAM unit told the court they analysed ‘hundreds and hundreds’ of sexually explicit files allegedly found in the priest’s possession.
Investigators claimed some videos showed the accused allegedly performing sexual acts on women who appeared unconscious or asleep, while in other recordings his face could reportedly be clearly seen.
Policia also told the court the files were carefully organised into folders named after each alleged victim.
Investigators further alleged the priest used a so-called ‘rape drug’ to sedate the women before the assaults.
According to court testimony, the substance was believed to be ‘liquid ecstasy’ or ‘joy’, terms commonly used in Spain to refer to GHB, a depressant linked to rape cases.
Policia described the substance as transparent and tasteless, allegedly leaving victims in a deep state of drowsiness in which they were unaware of what was happening.
According to investigators, several of the women had no idea the abuse or recordings had taken place until police later informed them.
‘It was a shock for them’ one officer told the court.
Policia further allege the accused took advantage of the trust created through his role as a priest and longstanding friendships with the women.
According to prosecutors, the women often stayed overnight in homes linked to church activities or residences where the priest was living.
The four women involved in the case are seeking compensation for psychological harm and emotional damage caused by the incidents.
Meanwhile, Malaga bishop Jose Antonio Satue said the Church would cooperate with the courts and asked forgiveness from victims who felt unsupported by religious authorities.
However, the Diocese of Malaga is contesting claims that it should be held financially responsible in the case.
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