Man sentenced to five years for aggravated sexual assault and human trafficking in Kymenlaakso

A 75-year-old man has been sentenced to five years in prison for aggravated sexual assault and human trafficking by a court in Kymenlaakso. The man was found guilty of repeatedly assaulting a woman several times during late 2019. The assaults involved violence and extreme humiliation.

In addition to the sexual violence, the man coerced the woman into engaging in sexual services for other individuals. The court noted that the woman had recently lost a loved one, which exacerbated her sense of insecurity, particularly as she struggled with substance abuse issues.

During the investigation, the woman revealed that the man had approached her around the time of the funeral, offering to buy belongings of the deceased, which led to his regular visits. Initially, she acquiesced to sexual encounters in exchange for alcohol. The court found evidence of her fear of the man through her diary entries, healthcare records, and testimonies from multiple witnesses.

The court determined that the man’s actions amounted to multiple instances of aggravated sexual assault over several months, causing significant harm and suffering to the victim, as noted in the judgment. He also forced her into sexual encounters with others in different cities, where acts of sexual violence occurred, often in the back of a van. The woman reported that clients paid between €100-€150 per encounter, while she received €20 or goods such as beer and cigarettes.

The court confirmed that all elements of human trafficking were present in this case. The accused, however, disputed the allegations, claiming they had a conventional friendship and sexual relationship, and has the option to appeal the verdict, which is not yet final. The man was also ordered to pay the victim €28,500 in compensation.