Four British tourists say they were attacked by ‘serial rapist’ at Costa Rican resort

Four British tourists were attacked by a serial rapist while on holiday at a beautiful resort in Costa Rica, a court has heard.

Cristopher Andres Picado Ramirez, 28, went on trial in April for allegedly sexually assaulting four unnamed British victims, an Argentinian woman and two Costa Rican minors between 2019 and 2022.

Surf instructor Ramirez allegedly forced himself on his victims at various locations in the resort town of Santa Teresa on the west coast of Costa Rica.

He was arrested in April 2022 after the four British tourists filed complaints with Costa Rican police, prompting several other victims to speak out about their ordeals.

But judges granted him bail despite the nature of his crimes, drawing heavy criticism from campaigners in Costa Rica and Buenos Aires, Argentina.

FILE PHOTO: Sunset on the beach in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

FILE PHOTO: Tourists on the main strip of Santa Teresa on the south coast of the Nicoya Peninsula; Playa Santa Teresa, Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Ramirez allegedly abused some of his victims in the bathroom of a bar in Santa Teresa, while others were attacked at parties on farmland near the famous beach.

The suspect is from San Ramon, but according to a Costa Rican newspaper he moved to Santa Teresa several years ago to work as a surf instructor. Diario Extra.

The British women who accused the Costa Rican of the attacks submitted their evidence to the Costa Rican consulate in London when the trial started in April.

But the court hearings were halted last month when Ramirez, in a strange turn of events, requested that one of his alleged victims provide a character witness in his favor.

Ramirez allegedly abused some of his victims in the bathroom of a bar in Santa Teresa, while others were attacked at parties on farmland near the famous beach.

The woman in question, now 18, was reportedly described as Ramirez’s girlfriend, despite being only 13 when she encountered the suspect at age 24, according to a report from The sun.

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

“As a hypothetical defense of myself, I would not offer a victim into evidence, knowing that the victim is still a victim,” he told reporters.

The process continues.