- Probation for confessed sex offenders
The Regional Court in Schwerin has sentenced a 44-year-old man to a two-year prison term, suspended, for the rape of his former partner. The judges reached a verdict sooner than planned, aligning with the prosecution's demand.
One of the involved judges reported that both the prosecution and the defense have decided to waive appeals against the verdict. The court had originally scheduled four trial days but concluded the case on the second day.
Among the reasons for the relatively lenient sentence, the court cited the defendant's full confession at the beginning of the trial, his expressed remorse, and his willingness to make amends. The man transferred his share of a jointly owned semi-detached house in a village in the Ludwigslust-Parchim district, valued at 50,000 euros, to the woman and also provided her with a mobile home.
"I hope she accepts this as compensation for the suffering I caused and as an apology," the 44-year-old said at the trial's outset. He also stated that he was seeking professional help to address his behavior.
The man was charged with two counts of rape and bodily harm. However, the cases involving an alleged rape at the end of 2019 and bodily harm were dropped during the trial.
The most serious and decisive factor in the verdict was the rape that occurred on New Year's Eve 2023/2024 in the jointly occupied semi-detached house. According to the court, the man was drunk at the time but was still fully responsible for his actions. The incident followed an argument between the couple about their impending separation.
The Criminal Code prescribes a prison sentence of not less than two years for particularly serious cases of sexual assault, such as rape. Prison sentences of up to two years can be suspended.
The man was initially charged with two counts of rape, but one count was dropped during the trial. Due to his actions, the man will likely need to confront the consequences of his actions for a long time, including the emotional impact on his former partner.
