A sports trainer in Bern has received a three-year prison sentence for engaging in sexual acts with a minor over a two-year period. The case, which included the victim becoming pregnant at 14, also saw the girl's mother convicted for aiding the illicit meetings.
Key Takeaways
- A Bern sports trainer was sentenced to three years in prison for sexual acts with a minor.
- The victim was 13 years old when the acts began and became pregnant at 14.
- The trainer, over 30 years older than the victim, also received a seven-year national ban and a lifelong prohibition from working with minors.
- The victim's mother was found guilty of aiding and abetting, receiving a two-year suspended sentence.
- The court found the mother failed to intervene despite suspicious chat messages and her daughter's pregnancy.
Trainer Receives Prison Sentence and Bans
The Regional Court Bern-Mittelland recently concluded a distressing case involving a sports trainer and a young student. The trainer was found guilty of sexual misconduct with the minor, who was only 13 years old when the interactions began.
The court proceedings revealed that the sexual contact continued for over two years. During this time, the victim, at the age of 14, became pregnant. The trainer is more than three decades older than the girl.
The trainer showed remorse in court, stating,
"I take full responsibility and I am ashamed of what happened."He received a three-year prison sentence, with one year to be served immediately. Additionally, the court imposed a seven-year ban from the country and a lifelong prohibition from working with minors.
Key Facts
- Victim was 13 years old at the start of the sexual acts.
- The trainer is more than 30 years older than the victim.
- The victim became pregnant at 14 years old.
- The trainer received a three-year prison sentence (one year immediate).
- He also faces a seven-year national ban and a lifelong ban from working with minors.
Mother Convicted for Aiding and Abetting
In a significant development, the victim's mother also faced charges in connection with the case. Prosecutors accused the mother of being aware of the inappropriate relationship through chat messages between her daughter and the trainer. Despite this knowledge, she allegedly failed to intervene.
The indictment stated that the mother even facilitated a meeting between her daughter and the trainer. Her inaction continued even after her 14-year-old daughter became pregnant. Police eventually intervened through third parties.
The mother denied all accusations, claiming she trusted the trainer. She stated that her daughter's pregnancy was a shock, leading to an immediate termination.
Her lawyer argued for an acquittal, suggesting the chat messages provided an incomplete picture of the situation. However, the prosecutor described the mother's behavior as "appalling and surreal," noting that meetings continued even after the pregnancy was terminated.
The court ultimately convicted the mother of aiding and abetting. She received a two-year suspended prison sentence. The court determined that the mother should have "vehemently intervened" to protect her daughter. This verdict is not yet legally binding.
Legal Context
Under Swiss criminal law, sexual acts with children under 16 years of age are illegal, regardless of whether consent is given. This legal framework aims to protect minors from exploitation and abuse.
Court Proceedings and Identity Protection
The trial took place behind closed doors to protect the identity of the minor victim. Only accredited media representatives were allowed to attend, and they were required to leave the courtroom during the victim's testimony.
Due to the mother's public position, the Appeals Chamber of the Cantonal Court ruled before the trial that she could only be referred to as a politician or high-ranking official in media reports. This measure was put in place to further safeguard the identity of the victim, who was a minor at the time of the offenses.
- The trial was not open to the public to protect the victim.
- Media access was restricted, especially during the victim's testimony.
- The mother's public role necessitated specific reporting guidelines to protect the victim's identity.
Impact and Future Implications
The case highlights the critical issue of child protection and the responsibilities of adults in safeguarding minors. The trainer's lifelong ban from working with young people underscores the severity of his actions and the court's commitment to preventing future harm.
The mother's conviction also sends a clear message about the legal and moral obligations of parents to protect their children, even when faced with difficult circumstances. This case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of such offenses on victims and their families.
The legal process, while concluded at the regional court level, may still face appeals, meaning the final chapter of this case has yet to be written. However, the initial rulings provide a strong stance against child exploitation.
"The court's decision emphasizes the need for vigilance and intervention when children's safety is at risk," a legal expert commented.
Community organizations working on child protection have also voiced their support for the court's strict stance, advocating for continued awareness and education to prevent similar tragedies.