Woman admits serious charges in Reykholt assault case

Ingunn Rut Sigurdardottir has abandoned her previous denial and admitted the most serious charges against her in a case involving an alleged aggravated assault, unlawful confinement and coercion in Reykholt in April 2024, mbl.is reported.

She read a statement directly to the judge at South Iceland District Court on Wednesday but declined to answer questions from prosecutors or comment on the evidence presented in the case.

“I realise that I am now admitting to the most serious charges in the indictment, and that this admission is coming late,” Ingunn said. She described the decision as difficult because her father and partner are also defendants in the case and both deny the charges.

Ingunn said she regretted her involvement and was ashamed of it. “I made many wrong decisions in this case and will have to live with them for the rest of my life, but I cannot blame anyone else,” she said.

She said the case, which began as a dispute over a rental debt, had spiralled into something no one could control. She also apologised to the alleged victim for causing him significant pain through her involvement.

Ingunn denied that the man had been tied up while she was present and rejected the claim that she had used violence against him. “I did not hit him and would never use a weapon or knuckle-dusters to hit another person, let alone an elderly man,” she said.

She also denied using violence to force the man to hand over money, while acknowledging that the large amount taken from him had been obtained unlawfully.

“I know that I bear a great deal of responsibility in this case and I will accept the sentence I receive,” she said. “I deeply regret my involvement in the case and want to apologise to the defendant for causing him great pain through my participation. I am sorry.”

Ingunn denied the money-laundering charges, with her defence lawyer expected to explain that position in greater detail. She also denied the weapons offence.

She pleaded guilty to theft and to possessing funds, but only to the extent described in her statement to police.

Ingunn said the drugs found in her possession belonged neither to her nor to her husband. She said she had been heavily using drugs when the alleged offences took place.

The third day of the main hearing is being held on Wednesday. Pétur Már Mortensen Birgisson is also due to give evidence, and difficult-to-hear audio recordings of telephone calls involving Ingunn’s fiancé, Andri Már Mortensen Birgisson, are due to be played in court again.