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Aaron Rainbow, a 50-year-old British helicopter pilot from Surrey, has been sentenced to 20 years in a Spanish prison after killing Oscar Tornero, 38, in a violent chemsex incident. The jury found Rainbow guilty of deliberately stabbing Tornero six times following a weekend of drug-fuelled sex at Tornero’s home in Vallgorguina, near Barcelona.

 

Rainbow claimed self-defence, but this was rejected by the court. Judge Carmen Sucias Rodriguez handed down the maximum sentence under Spanish law, refusing to reduce it due to drug use, and ordered Rainbow to pay nearly £470,000 in damages to Tornero’s family and ex-partner, with over £300,000 going to Tornero’s daughter.

 

The trial heard that Rainbow had taken methamphetamine, GHB, and other substances, which impaired his judgment. He claimed he feared he was being recorded and that strangers outside intended to attack him. “I have the feeling I have not been responsible for this,” he told the jury, recalling how he grabbed a kitchen knife for protection when he felt threatened. Neighbours reported hearing Rainbow shout “I’ll f*****g kill you” during the attack.

 

Tornero, a fashion store worker who also worked as an escort, tried to escape by jumping from a height but collapsed and later died of his injuries. Rainbow’s violent actions followed a history of drug-fuelled aggression; a witness testified about a previous incident where Rainbow threatened violence after mixing substances at a London encounter.

 

Rainbow’s defence lawyer argued that he suffered temporary insanity and self-defence instincts triggered by paranoia spurred by drug use. His family has described the case as a “Netflix thriller,” alleging police mishandling and sabotage of evidence, including damage to a Wi-Fi router that Rainbow’s brother insisted could have proven his innocence.

 

Rainbow’s brother said: “Aaron said he had been drugged and feared for his life because he believed people were watching him online.” The family maintain that Rainbow was frightened and acted out of fear, not malice.

 

The two years Rainbow spent in pre-trial detention will count toward his prison time.

 

 

Image: David Ballew/Unsplash