Paris Court Sentences Vallecas Priest to 11 Years for Rape. In Madrid, a former parish priest was sentenced to 11 years in prison for sexual assault against a woman who had sought his help. The court found him guilty of abusing his position to pressure vulnerable female parishioners.
A high-profile trial has concluded in Madrid against a former priest in the Puente de Vallecas district. The court sentenced 55-year-old priest Wooby Oreste Jacques to 11 years in prison for a series of sexual offenses committed against a female parishioner who was in a difficult life situation. The court's decision followed an investigation launched after a collective complaint by four women, who accused the clergyman of sexual harassment and abuse.
Coercion under the guise of help
The court found that the crimes took place in 2022. The main victim was a woman from Colombia who arrived in Spain with her children and was left homeless. She turned to the church for support, where the priest offered her temporary housing near his own home. However, as it became clear during the proceedings, this help was offered on the condition of intimate relations. The woman, in a desperate situation, agreed, but later—supported by another parishioner—went to the police.
Accusations and defense
During the trial, the testimonies of three other women were heard, who also reported sexual harassment by the priest. According to them, he used his position and control over the distribution of aid from the organization Cáritas to pressure women in vulnerable situations. Case files note that the victims were mainly young women from Latin America who had recently arrived in Spain and were in need of housing, work, and food.
The defendant himself denied all charges, claiming there was an alleged conspiracy against him by one of his former parish assistants. The defense insisted there was no objective evidence or medical reports, and emphasized that during his 20 years of service in other parishes there had been no similar complaints.
Court decision and consequences
The court found the victims' testimonies consistent and credible, and the psychologists' conclusions confirmed the presence of trauma typical for victims of sexual abuse. In other incidents involving inappropriate behavior but not violence, the priest was acquitted. The prosecution had sought a 15-year sentence, and the private prosecution up to 58 years, but the court limited the punishment to 11 years for the main episode.
In 2024, after a collective complaint was filed, the Madrid episcopate suspended Wooby Oreste Jacques from service at the Puente de Vallecas church. Previously, his activities had been supported by the city authorities, and he was known as an active participant in charity programs during the pandemic. All hearings in the case were held behind closed doors to protect the victims’ personal data.
