"I am a psycho"...Teen given probation for threatening friend by wrapping body with tape over unpaid debt

Court: "Defendant A is only 17 years old... Considering potential for improvement and rehabilitation"

A teenager who was accused of wrapping a friend's acquaintance's body with blue tape and threatening them with a weapon because the friend did not repay borrowed money was sentenced to probation.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] A teenage youth who allegedly threatened a younger acquaintance of a friend with a utility tape wrapped around his body and a weapon after the friend failed to repay borrowed money was sentenced to a suspended prison term.

The 12th Criminal Division of the Incheon District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Sang-woo) announced on the 26th that it sentenced A (18) to 1 year and 6 months in prison with a 2-year suspension on charges of special robbery and attempted coercion. He was also ordered to undergo probation.

The court stated, "Considering the method and content of the crime, the nature of the offense is quite serious," and added, "It appears that B felt a considerable amount of threat."

However, the court explained the sentencing reasoning by saying, "Taking into account that A admitted to all the crimes and is showing remorse, that B does not wish for A to be punished, and that A is only 17 years old, leaving room for behavioral improvement and rehabilitation."

Earlier, A was brought to trial on charges of threatening C (15), a younger acquaintance of friend B, and extorting cash from him at a residence in Seo-gu, Incheon, from 4:08 p.m. to 6:40 p.m. on July 5.

At that time, A wrapped C’s body with utility tape at his residence, filmed him with a cellphone, and sent the photos to C’s friend in an attempt to collect money. When he failed to receive money from B, A threatened C with a weapon, saying, "I will cut off your fingers and kill you."

A also threatened with a weapon, saying, "I will pull out your teeth. I am a psycho," and received a transfer of 500,000 won from C’s mother.

Investigations revealed that A committed the crime to collect the 420,000 won that friend B owed him, using C, who was acquainted with B.

The night before bringing C to his home, A met C on the street, beat him all over his body, and threatened him by saying, "You can engage in organ trafficking," to coerce him into bringing B. However, B refused, and the crime did not proceed further.

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