Young man convicted of raping sleeping high school girlfriend

A 19-year-old man appealed his rape conviction to the High Court on the spot. He remains protected by a name ban.

The court in Helsingør on Monday sentenced a 19-year-old man to one year and two months in prison for raping a female schoolmate during a high school party.

The young woman had gone to sleep in a bed in a villa in North Zealand with three friends after a festive evening that had begun with a gala party and a trip on a party bus.

The young people were having an after-party in the villa, and the young woman was heavily intoxicated. She was therefore unable to say either yes or no when her schoolmate, after lying down in bed with the girls, penetrated her.

“She was in a state where she was unable to consent because she was asleep.”

The 19-year-old man has been subject to a name-forbidden order during the case because, in the court’s opinion, it would expose him to unnecessary harm if his identity became publicly known.

In connection with Monday’s sentencing, the presiding judge chose, despite protests from both the prosecution and the press, to extend the name ban so that it applies until an upcoming appeal.

Because already in connection with the sentencing, defense attorney Karoline Normann announced that her client would appeal to the High Court with a request for acquittal.

He explained during the case that in his opinion there was consent.

After the presiding judge and the two judges in the case had left the courtroom, the 19-year-old broke down sobbing.

In addition to the prospect of serving a prison sentence, he must pay compensation to his victim of 40,000 kroner. He must also pay 5,000 kroner to another woman for an offensive photo taken at the same party.

ritzau