Four young men have been found guilty of raping a 15-year-old girl in a shed at Sofiendalskolen in Haslev in May.
It has been decided in the Court in Næstved on Friday afternoon.
One received four years in prison, while two of them received three years and six months in prison. The fourth and youngest were sentenced to three years and six months in prison as well as deportation for life.
In his decision, the presiding judge emphasized that the court had found the 15-year-old girl’s explanation credible.
The verdict fell in a courtroom filled to the brim.
Prosecutor Charlotte Skovmand summed up the case briefly and precisely before the decision.
– It is a classic issue where it is word for word.
A group of young people spent a Friday night on May 1 driving around the local area around Haslev.
Among them was the 15-year-old girl who during the evening had agreed with one of the now convicted that they should meet at Sofiendalskolen, which was a popular hangout for the city’s youth – typically after dark.
The four young men, who at the time were between 17 and 18 years old, had been to a party in Greve on Friday, but decided to turn their nose towards Haslev to meet the young girl.
The groups in the two cars had been in contact with each other when the young men were on their way to Haslev again.
And what had passed the 15-year-old girl’s nose was that the four now convicted told of their intentions to have intercourse with her.
But when the 15-year-old was made aware of the men’s intentions, she denied that they could think of doing anything about her.
The trial was turned upside down when a witness – a woman who was present in the same car as the 15-year-old – told that she did not believe that the rape had taken place.
– I have heard that the 15-year-old has twice before claimed to have been raped where it has not been true, the witness explained during one of the court hearings.
But that could not get the trial court to acquit the four defendants.
All four have chosen to appeal the verdict on the spot.
In addition, the presiding judge chose to extend the name ban in the case.
In his decision, the presiding judge emphasized that the court had found the 15-year-old girl’s explanation credible.
The verdict fell in a courtroom filled to the brim.
Prosecutor Charlotte Skovmand summed up the case briefly and precisely before the decision.
– It is a classic issue where it is word for word.
A group of young people spent a Friday night on May 1 driving around the local area around Haslev.
Among them was the 15-year-old girl who during the evening had agreed with one of the now convicted that they should meet at Sofiendalskolen, which was a popular hangout for the city’s youth – typically after dark.
The four young men, who at the time were between 17 and 18 years old, had been to a party in Greve on Friday, but decided to turn their nose towards Haslev to meet the young girl.
The groups in the two cars had been in contact with each other when the young men were on their way to Haslev again.
And what had passed the 15-year-old girl’s nose was that the four now convicted told of their intentions to have intercourse with her.
But when the 15-year-old was made aware of the men’s intentions, she denied that they could think of doing anything about her.
The trial was turned upside down when a witness – a woman who was present in the same car as the 15-year-old – told that she did not believe that the rape had taken place.
– I have heard that the 15-year-old has twice before claimed to have been raped where it has not been true, the witness explained during one of the court hearings.
But that could not get the trial court to acquit the four defendants.
All four have chosen to appeal the verdict on the spot.
In addition, the presiding judge chose to extend the name ban in the case.
Source: The Nordic Page