In the early hours of Sunday 4th July, around 0400 hrs., there was a sexual assault in Maó, the sixth to be recorded in a period of just over two months. The young lady who was the victim reported the assault to the National Police in Maó the following day.
The incident was confirmed last Thursday by the State's Island Director, Javier Tejero, who issued an assurance that the Policía Nacional and Guardia Civil were "working with the descriptions" provided by the victims and "any other information" that might help in identifying the attacker. He confirmed that the accounts given by the women attacked have led to the conclusion that they may be dealing with one individual who has carried out similar assaults in Maó and Es Castell.
In this case the attempted rape occurred in Sa Sínia des Cuc car park, in the centre of Maó; a place surrounded by homes and connected to the Camí des Castell, but with few people around at that time of night. According to sources close to the victim, the first description given of the man tallies with that of the attacker in Es Castell and the urbanisation Son Vilar, as do his actions in that this woman was also hit when she offered resistance.
Tejero expressed his concern over the incidents and confirmed that the police operation to catch the attacker is continuing, but he was reluctant to provide any further information that might hinder the investigation.
Previous cases
On 23rd April a young woman in Es Castell made a formal complaint to police that she had been attacked in the early hours of the morning as she was about to enter her home.
This case followed other reports of alleged assaults.
The Island Director's office confirmed that a sexual assault had been reported on 18th May, the incident occuring in the centre of Maó as the victim was about to enter her home. It was also confirmed that police were investigating an alleged rape in Es Castell.
At the beginning of June there was news of another sexual assault, this time in the urbanisation of Son Vilar in Es Castell. As in other cases, the young woman was attacked at the door to her home and was hit when she put up resistance.
Police presence has been increased in the Son Vilar urbanisation and the surrounding area, but without success.
Public concern
The lack of results to date in the investigation into the six cases of sexual assault have raised concern among the public. Many readers of the "Menorca" have suggested that the police should issue an identikit picture of the attacker to help prevent further assaults. The official silence, maintained in order not to prejudice the investigation, has led to much criticism of the police and, in particular, the Island Director, Javier Tejero.