A Guimarães court has sentenced a man from Vila Nova de Famalicão to eight years in prison for 39 sexual offences committed against his niece, which began when the victim was 8 years old.
In a July 4 ruling, which Lusa had access to today, the court found the 40-year-old defendant guilty of 26 counts of aggravated sexual abuse of children, one count of aggravated stalking, 11 counts of stalking and one count of aggravated sexual imposition.
The incidents took place in Joana, Vila Nova de Famalicão, Braga district, and the accused took advantage of the fact that he lived with the victim and her mother.
The abuse began in 2014 and only ended in 2022, when the victim reported the incident to her mother.
According to the court, the defendant “wanted and succeeded in satisfying his sexual desires, knowing full well that the victim was under 14 years old and that she was still undergoing physical and mental training that forced her to perform significant sexual acts.” […] and insulting her sexual self-determination, her sense of modesty and shame, well aware that the actions she commits threaten the integral and harmonious development of the personality of the minor.”
“The accused was aware of the increased responsibility associated with the fact that the victim was his niece and that they lived in the same place, taking advantage of their family and close relationships,” he adds.
He also says that in each case the defendant “acted knowing and willing to take advantage of the fact that he cohabited with, was related to and was part of the minor’s household.”
“The defendant repeatedly sought to stalk and harass the minor, acting with the intent to embarrass the minor, restrict her freedom and psychologically harass her, with the successful intent of making her feel watched and persecuted,” the ruling also states.
The defendant will have to pay the victim compensation in the amount of 25 thousand euros.
You are also prohibited from approaching or contacting the victim in any way.
Although the decision will not be final, the accused will remain at liberty, but will be required to report to the police station at his place of residence every two weeks.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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