Korneuburg Abuse Trial: Eight Years in Prison for 73-Year-Old
The verdict is not final. The Italian is said to have committed numerous assaults against a girl in the Weinviertel. The sexual acts, which according to the indictment also resulted in the Ukrainian girl's pregnancy, are believed to have started when the victim was 13 years old.
The senior mostly pleaded not guilty. However, he confessed to the production of visual child sexual abuse material, albeit without showing any awareness of wrongdoing. He was also convicted of abusing a position of authority, as the 73-year-old was partly considered a supervisor of the underage victim.
"There is absolutely no doubt about the defendant's guilt," emphasized the presiding judge. Mitigating factors in the sentencing included the confession regarding the child abuse material, the long period of good conduct, and the actions taken with the victim's consent. Aggravating factors were the multitude of crimes and offenses as well as the long period over which they occurred.
73-Year-Old Helped Victim's Family
The defendant met the victim in Ukraine and is said to have supported the girl's family - a mother with three daughters - in fleeing to Austria in the summer of 2022. The 73-year-old then lived in close proximity to the refugees in accommodation he organized in the Weinviertel. "Actually a very nice story so far, that you got them out and helped them," said the presiding judge.
However, according to the indictment, the turning point came quickly. In early 2024, the then 13-year-old is said to have responded to the senior's advances, explained prosecutor Gudrun Bischof. The girl also agreed to "live together like a couple." Subsequently, sexual acts occurred almost daily, according to the accusation.
After receiving a positive pregnancy test, the girl initially wanted to carry her child to term, but was convinced otherwise by her mother. This led to an abortion. Later, the then host of the Ukrainian family in the Weinviertel learned of the incidents. The man informed the school, and a risk report was then sent to the responsible district administration.
Arrest at the End of 2024
On December 30 of the previous year, the 73-year-old was ultimately taken into custody, and pre-trial detention was imposed. "Until the day of the arrest," the accused had sexual contact with the then 14-year-old girl, prosecutor Bischof stated.
The accused himself vehemently denied the allegations of abuse. He also claimed that the victim could not have become pregnant by him, as he was infertile - which was not clearly supported by an expert report. In general, the 73-year-old considered himself falsely accused, suspecting financial interests of the girl's family as the reason behind it.
The contradictory examination of the girl was played via video in the jury trial, with the public excluded. "He was like a father to me," said the victim's mother about the 73-year-old. She did not notice the acts of abuse until she learned of her daughter's pregnancy.
(APA/Red)
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