Man jailed for 12 years for child sexual abuse

A man received a 12-year concurrent prison sentence on Friday after he was found guilty of six charges related to sexual abuse of a minor.

Limassol criminal court also issued an order prohibiting the defendant from being employed in places where there are children and from residing near such establishments for the next 15 years.

Furthermore, the court referred the defendant to the supervisory authority, an order which will be in force throughout his detention in the central prison and for a three-year period after his release.

Persons convicted of sexual offences against minors are referred to the specific authority which evaluates the convicts and assess their reintegration into society.

In its decision, the court highlighted the severity of sexual offences, that “diminish and destroy human dignity” and “irreversibly stigmatise” the victim, especially in cases where the victim is a child.

“The offences of sexual exploitation of children constitute serious violations of children’s fundamental rights to the protection and care necessary for their well-being,” it was added.

To this end, “the Courts have a responsibility, by the penalties they impose for such offences, always in the context of the particularities of each case, to help protect children from such unacceptable and abhorrent behaviour.”

The offences were committed between January 2020 and July 2021.

The proceedings were conducted in camera due to the nature of the case and the age of the victim.

On behalf of the Attorney General of the Republic, the case was handled by Marina Masoura and Heraclea Zissimou