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Brit who broke into Malaga flat to shower cleared of all charges
The UK tourist was found not guilty of trespassing by a Costa del Sol jury
A Malaga jury has returned a not guilty verdict for a British man accused of entering a city centre apartment without permission, searching through closets and taking a shower.
The court heard that the 55-year-old businessman from Manchester suffered a sudden bout of diarrhoea after a night out with friends in October 2021. At 3.30am he found himself outside an apartment building on Calle Beatas and, noticing the door was open, asked a passing woman if she lived there.
Juan Carlos Alcázar Sánchez, lawyer for the defendant, told the jury that his client asked the homeowner if he could use her facilities to “relieve himself” since he had severe stomach cramps and “couldn’t take it any more.”
The defendant, who regularly holidays in the Costa del Sol, believes that the language barrier led to confusion and is adamant that she gave him permission to enter her apartment. His lawyer has maintained from the beginning that the Briton never knowingly trespassed.
The woman claims that when she returned to her home, she was startled to find the stranger in her shower and called the police, who arrested the UK tourist.
The accused “is a ‘gentleman’ who has been commended on numerous occasions by the British government for his contributions to charitable causes,” according to Mr Alcázar.
The jury declared the British man not guilty on Wednesday July 5 by seven votes in favour and two against after conceding the “embarrassing” nature of his situation when he couldn’t find any public bathrooms still open.
The prosecutor had initially requested a one-year prison term and 500 euros in compensation for the owner of the apartment.
Image: Freepik
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