A British man is potentially facing a sentence of up to two decades behind bars following his conviction for the drug-influenced killing of a man he had met for a weekend rendezvous. Aaron Rainbow, a helicopter pilot aged 50 and originally from Surrey, was found to have fatally stabbed Oscar Tornero, aged 38, in multiple areas of his body after the two indulged in crystal meth and GHB.
Rainbow, prior to the commencement of his trial on October 8, had professed that he had acted in self-defense, attributing his actions to a state of confusion and paranoia induced by the drug combination during their meeting at Tornero’s residence in Vallgorguina, located half an hour north of the Catalan capital.
During his testimony, Rainbow expressed a lack of accountability for the incident, claiming that he had become fearful and fixated on the belief that Oscar was recording and broadcasting their drug-fueled encounter, with the added worry of potential threats awaiting outside.
Following the attack on October 17, 2023, Oscar, who held employment at a fashion store and also worked as an escort, was witnessed attempting to flee his home in critical condition by a neighbor who then alerted the authorities after hearing threatening language from the British offender.
Testimony was also presented from an individual who had engaged in a drug-infused sexual encounter with Rainbow in London just days before the fatal stabbing, recounting a violent episode during their interaction.
The court proceedings revealed that the accused and the victim had planned to meet for sexual activities and drug consumption, leading to a violent altercation where Rainbow resorted to using a knife against Tornero. The prosecution is seeking a 20-year prison term for the convicted perpetrator.
Rainbow’s defense counsel had initially sought his client’s acquittal, citing temporary insanity, drug effects, and fear as contributing factors to the tragic event. The jury’s 8-1 verdict found Rainbow guilty, with the final sentencing to be determined at a later date, considering the time he has already spent in custody since his arrest.