A man accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl he met during martial arts classes at a Viseu gym was sentenced this Friday to seven years and four months in prison.
All court hearings were held behind closed doors in the Viseu court, and this Friday journalists were not allowed to attend the announcement of the decision. In the end, the bailiff announced the imposed punishment.
The 41-year-old man was convicted of five child sexual abuse offenses dating back to May 2022.
The court also decided to impose additional penalties in the form of “prohibition to engage in a profession, work, function or activity, public or private, the implementation of which involves regular contact with minors” and “prohibition to assume the trust of a minor, in particular adoption, guardianship, guardianship, foster care.” family, civil guardianship, transfer, guardianship or trust for a minor” for a period of ten years.
He was also ordered to compensate the victim for moral damages, but the amount was not disclosed to journalists. It was also impossible to find out what facts of the accusation were proven.
According to the initial charges, the man met the minor while she was attending a jiu-jitsu class. After about two weeks, he started sending her messages on social media, which she responded to and gained her trust.
They had several private meetings (in places such as the local hostel office, a pine forest and a garage) that were “always initiated” by the man, exchanging messages and talking via video until the girl’s mother noticed the messages.
The man will remain in preventive detention until a final decision is made.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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