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Four British women attacked by ‘serial rapist in Costa Rican resort’

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A court heard how four British holidaymakers were attacked by a suspected serial rapist at a resort in Costa Rica.

Cristopher Andres Picado Ramirez is also said to have attacked a woman from Argentina and two minors from Costa Rica.

Surf instructor Ramirez is said to have forced himself on his victims in various locations in the holiday region of Santa Teresa on the west coast of Costa Rica.

The 28-year-old was arrested in April 2022 after the four British tourists filed a complaint with Costa Rican police, after which several other victims reported their ordeals.

Costa Rica (file image)

Costa Rica (file image)

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According to the Costa Rican media company Diario Extra, the accused is from San Ramon, but is said to have moved to Santa Teresa a few years ago to work as a surfing instructor.

Picado Ramirez is accused of attacking at least seven women between the ages of 18 and 24 between 2019 and 2022. The British women who accused the Costa Rican of the attacks submitted their evidence to the Costa Rican consulate in London when the trial began in April.

But trial proceedings stalled last month when, in a strange turn of events, Ramirez called on one of his alleged victims to testify as a character witness on his behalf.

The woman described as his girlfriend when he was 24, but she was just 13, is proposed as a character witness.

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The beach in Costa Rica

Costa Rica (file image)

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Walter Brenes, a lawyer for three of the victims, said he was “completely stunned.”

He added: “In my hypothetical defense, I would not offer a victim as evidence because I know the victim is still a victim.”

During his trial, feminist and human rights groups held protests outside the local court buildings.

The judges were heavily criticized for releasing him on bail after his arrest.

The process is expected to be completed next week.

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