Former Music Teacher Sentenced to 13 Years for Raping Student Remains at Large
OURENSE, Spain – Spanish authorities continue to search for 45-year-old Martiño Ramos Soto, a former public school music teacher from the Galician city of Ourense, after he vanished in mid-September following a Supreme Court ruling that confirmed his 13-year prison sentence for repeatedly raping a student over several years. His disappearance has sparked a nationwide manhunt, intensifying public outrage and raising questions about how a convicted sex offender managed to evade capture even after a final court judgment.
A Case That Shook the Galician Education System
The crimes for which Soto was convicted took place between 2016 and 2020. During this period, prosecutors found that he systematically raped and assaulted a student who was just 13 years old when the abuse began. The court described his behavior as marked by manipulation, coercion, and sustained physical violence that left the now-adult victim suffering severe psychological trauma requiring ongoing psychiatric treatment.
Investigators revealed that the abuse occurred both on and off school grounds, often under the guise of private music lessons or extracurricular tutoring sessions. Soto reportedly lured the victim with attention, gifts, and promises of artistic mentorship before escalating to threats of violence to ensure silence. According to court documents, the abuse persisted even after the victim tried to break contact, showing, as the prosecution argued, “a deliberate pattern of entrapment and coercion.”
The Supreme Court Ruling and Disappearance
The Spanish Supreme Court confirmed the 13-year prison sentence in early September 2025, following a lengthy series of appeals that delayed enforcement. Once the ruling became final, the court ordered Soto's immediate imprisonment. By then, he was already missing.
Authorities later discovered that Soto had fled his residence around September 15, leaving behind no trace of communication or digital activity. His phone was turned off, and his bank accounts have shown no significant movement since that date. Investigators believe that Soto likely had help in his disappearance, possibly relying on sympathizers from his past political circles or acquaintances from his time as a musician and activist in Galicia’s independent cultural scene.
Spanish police have issued a national and European arrest warrant. Interpol has been notified, placing Soto on its Red Notice list for wanted fugitives. Border authorities in neighboring Portugal and France have also been alerted, given Ourense’s proximity to international routes frequently used for illicit crossings.
Growing Public Anger and Calls for Accountability
The case has generated widespread outrage across Spain, particularly in Galicia, where community organizations, education unions, and women’s rights groups have condemned the judicial system’s failure to secure Soto’s custody before the Supreme Court verdict. Protests have been held in Ourense, Santiago de Compostela, and Vigo, with demonstrators demanding reforms to prevent convicted offenders from escaping justice after final sentencing.
Victims’ advocacy organizations argue that the case exposes gaps in Spain’s enforcement mechanisms for sexual violence convictions. “This should never have happened,” said one spokesperson from a national victims’ network. “The system knew his sentence was imminent. Allowing him freedom until the last procedural step created a risk that became a reality.”
The Ministry of the Interior has responded by promising an internal review into how local and national authorities coordinate surveillance of defendants awaiting final sentencing. Senior officials have emphasized that efforts are underway to locate Soto and bring him into custody “without delay.”
Historical Context: Abuse Cases in Spanish Education
Soto’s case joins a grim list of sexual abuse scandals that have shaken Spain’s education sector in recent years. From Barcelona to Seville, multiple teachers and coaches have been convicted of exploiting minors under their supervision. These cases have prompted the Spanish government to strengthen background checks and professional conduct monitoring in public schools.
Historically, the handling of sexual abuse within schools in Spain was marked by silence and institutional protectionism. Only in the past decade, following high-profile media investigations and the rise of the #MeToo and #SeAcabó movements, have survivors felt empowered to pursue justice. New laws introduced in 2021 expanded the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse and improved mechanisms for victim reporting.
Experts note, however, that legal progress must be matched by better enforcement. “The law now recognizes the lifelong impact of abuse, but that means little if offenders can still evade prison sentences,” said a criminologist at the University of A Coruña.
The Psychological Toll on the Victim
Court psychiatrists and social workers testified that the victim endures recurring symptoms of post-traumatic stress, depression, and disassociation. She continues to receive therapy and has been placed under protective measures due to ongoing safety concerns after Soto’s disappearance.
Psychiatrists involved in the case described the abuse’s impact as “severely life-altering,” exacerbated by Soto’s position of authority and trust. In cases like this, experts note that the betrayal by a respected teacher often deepens the trauma, extending recovery timelines for survivors.
Local non-profit organizations have rallied around the victim, offering psychological, legal, and financial support. Their mobilization has also fueled broader discussions in Galicia about the long-term consequences of sexual abuse and the need to safeguard minors in educational environments.
Police Investigation and Current Leads
Authorities in Ourense and Madrid have combined investigative teams from the National Police and Guardia Civil. Searches have extended to rural Galicia, where Soto once owned property, and to several coastal towns along the Portuguese border.
Officers have focused on tracing his network of acquaintances, including members of cultural and activist groups he was associated with in the 2000s. Digital forensics units are analyzing old social media accounts and encrypted communications in the hope of uncovering traces of recent contact. Although no verified sightings have been confirmed, one tip placed Soto near Porto two weeks ago, sparking collaborative surveillance with Portuguese police.
Investigators have also not ruled out the possibility that he could attempt to change his identity or live off the grid, citing his previous experience as a music teacher traveling around southern Europe. Spanish police have urged the public to report any information that could assist in his capture.
Regional Comparisons: Patterns of Flight Among Convicted Offenders
Soto’s escape is not an isolated incident. Similar cases have occurred in other European countries, prompting comparisons about judicial enforcement practices. In Portugal, a former sports coach convicted of child abuse fled before imprisonment in 2023, remaining at large for nearly six months before capture. In France, high-profile offenders have occasionally taken advantage of appeal delays to flee jurisdictions altogether.
Legal analysts suggest that Spain’s current system, which often allows convicted individuals to remain free pending final appeal, carries inherent risks. “There is a tension between upholding defendants’ rights and safeguarding public safety,” said a Madrid-based criminal law professor. “When conviction is certain and the crime severe, courts must act faster to prevent evasion.”
The Spanish government recently signaled interest in revising detention protocols for those convicted of sexual violence. Legislative proposals under review would require immediate provisional detention once a conviction is confirmed by an appeals court, even before the Supreme Court’s verdict.
Economic and Social Impact in Ourense
Beyond the immediate criminal implications, the scandal has cast a shadow over Ourense’s educational and cultural sectors. Local authorities report a decline in enrollment at extracurricular arts programs since the revelations about Soto first surfaced. Trust between parents and schools has been visibly shaken, leading to renewed calls for transparency and stricter hiring practices.
The municipal government has begun implementing mandatory psychological screening for staff and annual ethics training in all public institutions. These preventive measures aim to restore public confidence and mitigate reputational damage to Ourense as a regional hub for arts education.
Economically, the city’s education department estimates an indirect financial impact due to program cancellations, rehiring processes, and security expenditures. While the broader Galician economy remains stable, local officials consider the case a “warning signal” about institutional accountability and the cost of systemic oversight failures.
Heightened Nationwide Concern
Across Spain, the ongoing search for Soto has dominateds and social media, amplifying national debate about sexual violence, justice delays, and the duty of protection owed to minors. The case resonates deeply within a society increasingly intolerant of institutional complacency toward abuse.
As the investigation continues, law enforcement urges the public to remain vigilant and avoid spreading unverified information. For now, authorities reaffirm their commitment: Martiño Ramos Soto remains one of Spain’s most wanted fugitives, and his eventual capture is considered a matter of national priority.