Woman Knocked Unconscious and Sexually Assaulted While Returning Home Alone... 10-Year Prison Sentence Upheld on Appeal

A man who followed a victim walking home alone, strangled her until she lost consciousness, and then sexually assaulted her was sentenced to 10 years in prison in the appellate court. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in this article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] A man who followed a victim walking home alone and sexually assaulted her was sentenced to 10 years in prison in the appellate court.

On the 19th, the Criminal Division 1 of the Gwangju High Court (Presiding Judges Lee Seung-cheol, Shin Yong-ho, Kim Jin-hwan) announced that it overturned the original sentence of 8 years in prison and sentenced Mr. A, who was charged with rape and injury, to 10 years in prison in the appeal trial.

The court maintained the same orders as the first trial, including the disclosure of personal information for 10 years, a 10-year employment ban at institutions related to children, adolescents, and persons with disabilities, and a 20-year order to attach an electronic location tracking device.

Mr. A was charged with following a woman who was walking home in an alley in Jeonnam last June, strangling her until she lost consciousness, and then sexually assaulting her.

The victim suffered from adjustment disorder and acute stress reaction symptoms that required about six months of observation and treatment.

It was found that Mr. A reoffended despite having previously been sentenced to 7 years in prison for a similar crime.

Earlier, the first trial court stated, "The victim is believed to have experienced tremendous shock, fear, and pain, but Mr. A made no effort to help the victim recover."

However, considering that he admitted to the crime and showed sincere remorse, he was sentenced to 8 years in prison.

In response, the prosecution appealed, arguing that the first trial sentence was too light, while Mr. A also appealed, claiming the sentence was too heavy and unfair.

The appellate court ruled, "Mr. A neither reached an agreement with nor was forgiven by the victim, and he reoffended only six months after completing his sentence for a sexual crime, which makes him highly blameworthy," adding, "It is not appropriate to reduce the sentence solely because he shows remorse."

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