Newsroom
The Court of Appeal has raised a prison sentence to four years in a case involving the sexual abuse of a minor. The offenses occurred in 2004 and 2005, but the victim only reported them in 2021, nearly 17 years later, after reaching adulthood and receiving psychological support.
Initially, the lower court had imposed a total sentence of two years and six months for four counts of sexual offenses. The accused appealed, claiming the sentence was excessive, but the appeal was dismissed. Following an appeal by the Attorney General, the Court of Appeal determined that the original sentence was insufficient and increased it to four years.
The court stressed that delays in reporting sexual abuse do not lessen the gravity of the offenses or the strictness with which they must be punished. It noted that crimes against minors have long-lasting effects and that sentences should be severe and deterrent in nature.
The Legal Service of the Republic has pointed to the decision as a reminder that the passage of time should not prevent victims from seeking justice, and that sentencing should reflect the seriousness of the crime rather than the timing of the complaint.
