A man has been arrested and remanded in custody in Tenerife after allegedly sexually abusing a child repeatedly for more than a year, with police investigating whether there may be other victims.

The National Police say the suspect is being investigated for the alleged continuous sexual assault of a minor, as well as the possession and production of child sexual abuse material.

The investigation began after the child reported the alleged abuse, prompting the Juvenile Group of the Judicial Police at the Provincial Police Headquarters in Santa Cruz de Tenerife to take over the case.

Officers began gathering evidence to establish what had happened and the circumstances in which the alleged offences had taken place.

According to investigators, the suspect had established a relationship of trust with both the child and their family, which he allegedly exploited to gain access to the victim.

Police believe the alleged attacks took place over a period lasting more than a year, with the suspect reportedly taking advantage of occasions when the child's parents were away from the home.

Alleged attacks may have been recorded

The investigation subsequently took a more serious turn when officers received information suggesting that some of the alleged sexual assaults may have been recorded using electronic devices.

Police believe the suspect may then have used those recordings to coerce and threaten the child, allegedly warning that the material could be distributed if the victim refused further sexual encounters.

Following the man's arrest, investigators obtained judicial authorisation to search his home.

During the search, officers seized numerous mobile phones and computer equipment which they believe could potentially have been used to record the victim.

The seized devices will now form part of the continuing investigation.

Police have not disclosed details that could identify the child, and Canarian Weekly is deliberately withholding any information that could potentially lead to the victim's identification.

Suspect remanded in custody

After his arrest, the man was brought before the relevant judicial authority, which ordered his immediate remand in custody while the investigation continues.

The National Police have not publicly identified the suspect or provided his age or nationality in the information released about the case.

The allegations have also not yet been tested at trial, and the arrested man remains entitled to the presumption of innocence unless convicted by a court.

Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the case and, importantly, are attempting to establish whether there could be other victims.

The electronic equipment seized from the property is expected to be particularly important to that part of the investigation.

Police have not stated that additional victims have been identified. At this stage, they are investigating the possible existence of others.

Investigation remains open

The case is being handled by specialist officers from the National Police Judicial Police unit in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Cases involving children require particular care because Spanish law provides extensive protections for the identity and privacy of minors involved in criminal proceedings.

For that reason, authorities have released only limited information about the victim and the circumstances surrounding the alleged offences.

The National Police confirmed the arrest this morning (Thursday), with the investigation remaining open as officers continue analysing the evidence recovered during the search.

Any further information concerning possible additional victims, the contents of the seized electronic devices or additional alleged offences will depend on the outcome of those enquiries.

For now, the suspect remains in prison by order of the judicial authority while the investigation continues.