Ex-royal bodyguard sentenced for rape
A policeman with the Swedish Security Service (Säpo) who once served as a bodyguard to King Carl Gustaf and Crown Princess Victoria has been sentenced to six years in prison for aggravated rape and obstruction of justice. The man will also pay damages of 208,000 kronor ($28,470) to the woman.
The penalty for the crime is eight years, according to the district court, but after the bodyguard was dismissed from his post following the conviction, the sentence was reduced to six years in prison, Expressen reported.
The rape took place last fall at a cottage outside Uppsala occupied by the 49-year-old policeman. According to the prosecution, the assault was particularly brutal. During the proceedings, chief prosecutor Monica Mimer described an extremely brutal rape involving anal sex, beatings, detention and handcuffing. The victim was humiliated and made to fear for her life, Mimer said.
During the attack, the man had a pistol lying next to him, reinforcing the threat to the woman, according to the prosecutor.
The policeman was also charged with obstruction of justice after making threats against the woman's son. The policeman threatened to hurt him so badly that he would be disabled for life.
At the time of the alleged attack, the woman was in the process of trying to break off a relationship with the former royal bodyguard, according to Swedish media reports.
According to Expressen, the district court wrote: "The crime is serious because [the Säpo man] showed particular ruthlessness and brutality and the abuse lasted over a long period of time." The court added the woman "suffered a major violation and that she was deprived of her freedom."
The policeman has consistently denied all the charges against him.
Comments
See Also
The penalty for the crime is eight years, according to the district court, but after the bodyguard was dismissed from his post following the conviction, the sentence was reduced to six years in prison, Expressen reported.
The rape took place last fall at a cottage outside Uppsala occupied by the 49-year-old policeman. According to the prosecution, the assault was particularly brutal. During the proceedings, chief prosecutor Monica Mimer described an extremely brutal rape involving anal sex, beatings, detention and handcuffing. The victim was humiliated and made to fear for her life, Mimer said.
During the attack, the man had a pistol lying next to him, reinforcing the threat to the woman, according to the prosecutor.
The policeman was also charged with obstruction of justice after making threats against the woman's son. The policeman threatened to hurt him so badly that he would be disabled for life.
At the time of the alleged attack, the woman was in the process of trying to break off a relationship with the former royal bodyguard, according to Swedish media reports.
According to Expressen, the district court wrote: "The crime is serious because [the Säpo man] showed particular ruthlessness and brutality and the abuse lasted over a long period of time." The court added the woman "suffered a major violation and that she was deprived of her freedom."
The policeman has consistently denied all the charges against him.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.