Jyväskylä scout leader faces trial over alleged sexual crimes against children

A 43-year-old man who worked as a teacher and scout leader in Jyväskylä has gone on trial accused of multiple sexual offences against children, Yle reports. The case involves 15 children, nearly all aged 7 to 14 and involved in scouting.

The charges include two counts of aggravated rape of a child, three counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, nine counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child, four counts of coercion into a sexual act, one count of sexual abuse of a child and four counts of sexual assault of a child.

Prosecutors say all but one of the alleged offences took place while the man was working as a scout leader. He has partly denied the allegations.

The man has been in custody since March. Police say he has no previous criminal record or convictions for sexual offences. Jyväskylä suspended him from his job as a primary school teacher earlier this year. The alleged offences are not believed to be connected to his teaching work.

The Central Finland District Court has set aside 10 days for the main hearing, which is being held behind closed doors. The charges are confidential. Prosecutors say they will present their sentencing demands at the end of the hearing. The court will later issue at least a public summary of its judgment.