Boat refugee allegedly sexually harassed cleaner in hotel on Spain’s Costa Blanca

A boat migrant was arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a cleaner at a hotel in Guardamar that is used as an emergency reception centre.

A court in Torrevieja released the Senegalese citizen on bail but obtained an injunction keeping him away from the alleged victim.

He was expelled from the four-star Parque de Mar hotel, which had served as temporary accommodation for migrants since last October.

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It can accommodate up to 230 people at a time who have landed on the Canary Islands after a dangerous journey by boat from Africa.

The man is accused of approaching the employee on June 15 and touching her breasts.

She fled and warned the security personnel, who contacted the Guardia Civil.

No further arrests or incidents related to the center have been reported in the last eight months.

Guardamar is one of the mainland areas receiving migrants under the auspices of the Ministry of Migration and Integration in order to reduce the pressure on reception centers in the Canary Islands.

They are cared for by volunteer groups in hotels until alternative accommodation is found for them.

Last autumn, controversy arose when the centre was opened in Parque de Mar without the ministry having previously consulted the municipality of Guardamar.

The city also hosts Ukrainian and North African refugees in the Vacunza Sun Beach Apartments run by Cruz Roja.

Long-term displaced people from South America are cared for at the Costablanca Explore Hostel north of Guardamar in La Marina.