MáLAGA (SPAIN)
The Olive Press [Marbella, Spain]
July 10, 2026
By Karissa Key
A CATHOLIC priest has been sentenced to over five decades in prison after a Malaga court found him guilty of drugging, sexually assaulting and secretly filming women over a four-year period.
The 35-year-old priest known as ‘Father Fran’ was convicted of four counts of sexual assault, including one count of sexual abuse and four counts relating to the illegal recording of his victims.
A judge ruled that the Velez-Malaga resident administered an unknown substance that caused women to lose consciousness before abusing them to ‘satisfy his desires.’
The man identified as Francisco J.C. has been sentenced to 52 years in prison for the sex crimes.
In addition to the prison sentence, the court has also ordered Father Fran to pay compensation to each of the victims for the psychological harm they suffered.
The Diocese of Malaga has been held secondarily liable for such compensation if he is unable to pay.
According to the ruling, the financial compensation is expected to be more than €400,000.
The offences are said to have taken place between 2014 and 2018, however Father Fran was not arrested until September 2023 following an investigation.
Throughout the case, the Diocese argued that the alleged crimes occurred during the priest’s private life and were unrelated to his pastoral duties.
However, Malaga Bishop Jose Antonio Satue has confirmed that the church would ensure the victims receive the money owed for the damaged caused.
The judgment noted ‘not only did the Bishopric fail to carry out its supervisory duties properly, but it also failed to select the right person to perform the functions of parish priest.’
Click here to read more Spain News from The Olive Press.
Karissa is a US expat from Florida who joins The Olive Press after moving abroad in 2019 to study international journalism in Stockholm. With over four years of professional writing experience across editorial, travel, legal, and comedy, she’s drawn to stories that matter — and the adventures that come with them. Now based in Nueva Andalucía, she covers Costa del Sol and wider Andalucía region. Reach her at karissa@theolivepress.es