30s Male Repeatedly Assaulted Cellmate... 4-Month Prison Sentence Upheld on Appeal

"Considering the Victim's Wish Not to Punish the Defendant"

A man in his 30s was sentenced to four months in prison again in the second trial for assaulting a fellow inmate in the same cell.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] A man in his 30s who was charged with repeatedly assaulting an inmate housed in the same prison cell was sentenced to imprisonment again in the second trial.

The Chuncheon District Court, 2nd Criminal Division (Chief Judge Jin Won-du), sentenced A (30), who was charged with injury and assault, to four months in prison, the same as the original sentence, in the appeal trial.

A and the victim B are inmates at Wonju Prison in Gangwon Province.

The appellate court stated, "The defendant has a history of multiple criminal punishments for similar violent crimes and was incarcerated at the time, yet committed the crime again. It raises doubts as to whether the defendant is genuinely remorseful and making efforts to prevent recidivism."

However, the court explained the sentencing reason by considering "the fact that the victim does not wish to punish the defendant."

A was charged on April 3 for repeatedly hitting B’s jaw, who was housed in the same cell, saying, "Be thankful that I am toughening you up and take the beating," causing injuries requiring two weeks of medical treatment.

Previously, A was also known to have pinched B’s thigh and chest and grabbed major parts of his body, among other assaults.

The first trial court sentenced A to four months in prison, stating, "The defendant assaulted another inmate while incarcerated, causing injury, and committed the crime during the recidivism period, which is a serious offense."

A appealed the verdict, claiming, "The sentence is too heavy and unfair." The prosecution also appealed, arguing, "The sentence is too light," but the sentence remained unchanged.

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