The man carried out three assaults on a child for whom he was a babysitter, filmed it and shared it on the internet, writes Romsdal’s Budstikke.
– In this case, it concerns several serious assaults committed against a small and defenseless child for which the defendant was responsible, the judgment states, among other things.
It is emphasized that the abuse entails a significant risk of serious psychological damage to the child.
The man was under 18 when he carried out the assaults.
When the man was arrested, he was in possession of a total of 38,144 different media files, of which 24,336 were images and 13,808 were videos with a total playing time of 1,185 hours showing sexual abuse of children.
The man has explained that the first photos he shared of the child were to document that he had a child available, so that he had access to abuse material from others.
Two years and six months of the sentence is suspended with a probationary period of five years. In other words, he must basically serve half of the five-year sentence in prison.
The convicted man has had his sentence reduced both because he pleaded guilty and because he was a minor himself. In addition, he cooperated with the police, which led to two Americans being arrested earlier than they otherwise would have been.
He must also pay NOK 350,000 in compensation to the child.
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**Interview with Child Protection Advocate, Dr. Emily Lawson**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Lawson. The recent case of a young man sentenced for serious crimes against a child has reopened the discussion about the implications of child abuse. What are your thoughts on the psychological risks mentioned in the judgment?
**Dr. Lawson:** Thank you for having me. The judgment rightly emphasizes the significant risk of serious psychological damage to the child. Children who experience such trauma often face long-term effects that can influence their emotional and social development. It’s crucial that we understand this link to prevent future crimes.
**Editor:** Given that the perpetrator was under 18, do you think his age should mitigate the severity of the punishment?
**Dr. Lawson:** It’s a complex issue. While rehabilitation is important for juvenile offenders, it should not come at the cost of justice for the victim. We have to ask ourselves: How do we balance accountability with an opportunity for rehabilitation? The punishment must reflect the nature of the crime while also recognizing the potential for change in young people.
**Editor:** The offender received a reduced sentence for cooperating with authorities and pleading guilty. Do you believe this sets a dangerous precedent?
**Dr. Lawson:** It certainly raises important questions. On one hand, we want to encourage cooperation with law enforcement, but on the other hand, leniency in cases involving such grave crimes could be perceived as minimizing the severity of the act. It invites debate on what kind of accountability should exist for those who commit heinous acts, regardless of their age.
**Editor:** In light of this case, what steps do you think society could take to better protect children and address the root causes of such behavior?
**Dr. Lawson:** We need a multi-faceted approach. This includes better education on child welfare, increased support for families, and ensuring children have access to mental health resources. Additionally, early intervention programs are key in identifying at-risk youth before they engage in harmful behaviors.
**Editor:** Let’s pose a question to our readers: Do you think the existing legal system adequately protects children while also considering the rehabilitation of young offenders? What changes do you believe are necessary to address this urgent issue?
