Guesthouse Owner Who Repeatedly Sexually Assaulted Female Guests Receives Reduced Sentence in Second Trial

Defendant Claims "Consensual Sex" → Victim Retracts Statement
Court: "Repeated Crime Within 4 Days... Serious Nature"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] A man in his 40s who ran a guesthouse in Jeju and committed sexual crimes against female guests received a reduced sentence in the appellate court.

On the 28th, the Jeju 1st Criminal Division of the Gwangju High Court (Presiding Judge Wang Jeong-ok) announced that in the appeal trial of A (43), who was arrested and indicted on charges including rape and sentenced to 5 years in prison in the first trial, the original sentence was overturned and a sentence of 4 years and 6 months in prison was handed down.

After receiving a prison sentence in the first trial, A reportedly reached settlements with some victims and paid large sums of consolation money.

Earlier, A was accused of breaking into the room of a female guest at the guesthouse he operated in the early morning of November 25 last year and sexually assaulting her. He was also accused of forcibly molesting another female guest three days later, on November 29.

In court, A denied the rape charges, claiming it was consensual sex, but confessed to the crime after the victim testified about the incident in court.

A’s attitude influenced the court’s judgment. The appellate court stated, "The defendant committed a similar crime again just four days after the first offense, showing very poor criminal character," and pointed out, "He caused secondary harm by making the victims appear in court."

It added, "However, considering that he amicably settled with some victims, paid large amounts of consolation money, made efforts to restore the damage, and showed remorse by the second trial, the sentence was determined accordingly."

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