Reporter harassed while working in Vilafranca del Penedes

CATALUÑAS’S regional police, the Mossos d’Esquadra, arrested a man of 45 accused of sexually abusing a woman reporter.

She claimed that he touched her inappropriately and harassed her while she was covering a Colla Castellera (human tower) at the Sant Felix fiesta in Vilafranca del Penedes.

The accused belonged to one of the Collas or teams that form the towers, and was also an off-duty Mosso.

The reporter told police that several people pawed her and pestered her, taking photos with her without permission but later a member of the Casteller team put his arm round her waist, touching her inappropriately and harassing her.

Her alleged aggressor was arrested the following day after she lodged a formal complaint and identified him, police sources revealed.

The investigation is now in the hands of an investigating judge who released the policeman on bail and issued a restraining order preventing him from coming within 1,000 metres of the reporter.

An internal enquiry has also been launched and disciplinary action will be taken, police sources confirmed.