89-Year-Old Dementia Patient Avoids Prison for Sexually Harassing Four Teenagers

An man in his 80s who forcibly molested four teenage boys and committed obscene acts on a bus was given a suspended sentence, but the court did not impose a prison term considering that he suffers from dementia. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Min Jun-young, Intern Reporter] An 80-year-old man who forcibly touched four teenage girls and committed obscene acts on a bus was sentenced to a suspended prison term. The court did not impose a prison sentence considering that the defendant suffers from dementia.

The Jeju District Court's 2nd Criminal Division (Chief Judge Jang Chan-soo) announced on the 8th that it sentenced A (89), who was tried on charges of forcible molestation of minors under 13 and public obscenity, to 2 years and 6 months in prison with a 4-year suspension.

The court stated, "Considering that there are multiple victims and that the defendant is unforgivable, it would be appropriate to impose an actual prison sentence."

However, the court explained the sentencing rationale, saying, "The defendant was a national merit recipient and a diligent head of household engaged in agriculture until before the crime, but due to severe dementia related to old age, he committed the offenses. Considering the defendant's age and current mental and physical health condition, it is a better measure to admit him to a nursing home for treatment to alleviate symptoms rather than impose a prison sentence."

A was previously indicted for forcibly molesting a 10-year-old girl and a 17-year-old female student consecutively at his residence in Jeju City between 6:20 and 6:30 p.m. on May 23 of last year.

He was also tried for molesting two female students and committing obscene acts on a bus on May 28 and September 30 of the same year.

Investigations confirmed that A is currently hospitalized in a nursing home.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.