Defendant faces serious charges in Trøndelag court concerning abuse of 20 victims

The case is currently being updated.

“I never thought something like this would happen,” began the defendant’s statement in a Norwegian court in Trøndelag on Thursday. Taking a moment to pause, he became visibly emotional and continued, “It was only after my arrest and beginning to look into this matter that I realized the extent of what occurred.”

Among the 20 victims, eight are under 14 years of age, involving both boys and girls, with offenses that include physical abuse and online exploitation. The most serious incidents reportedly occurred two decades ago, while some of the recent ones took place just before his arrest in February 2023.

“It’s been incredibly disturbing to hear the allegations presented in court—the negative aspects detailed in the reports,” he stated, expressing that he no longer recognizes himself.

Several of the young girls had spent considerable time at the defendant’s home, where police discovered pregnancy tests he had purchased, along with emergency contraceptive pills and condoms.

The most grave accusations involve multiple severe rapes of a girl who was 13 at the time when it began. In court, she recounted her experiences with someone she had trusted and spent a lot of time with, unaware that the defendant had contacted her using a fake identity, posing as a young woman named Maiken.

The defendant allegedly facilitated interactions between “Maiken” and the victim, encouraging her to sell nude photos and videos. Prosecutors claim the defendant manipulated the girl, drawing her into a fake scenario where she was to act as though she were being assaulted. She was promised a substantial sum for these recordings.

Further investigation revealed that he alternated communication between the girl and his fake identity, using two mobile phones to do so seamlessly, creating confusion. When confronted about involving a 13-year-old girl in such a situation, he expressed remorse, acknowledging a painful realization of his actions after the fact.