Beaten, raped and robbed – this is how two 22-year-olds left a Viennese woman just 150 meters from her front door at Christmas last year. An Italian speaks in Vienna’s regional court of a “test of courage”, while his Romanian brother-in-law accuses the 58-year-old of being pushy. Unbelievable, says the jury.
The fact that suspects do not always tell the whole truth in court and want to protect themselves with their statements is a common occurrence in criminal cases. And that is also their right. The responsibilities that a Romanian and an Italian have in the Viennese countryside are difficult to hear. But the accusation is even more terrifying: on December 25 – at Christmas – they brutally beat a woman near Floridsdorf train station, raped her and then stole her handbag and mobile phone.
The 58-year-old suffered several serious injuries
The two 22-year-olds give anything but a confession to judge Eva Brandstetter: the 58-year-old was the one who approached the two young men on the street in the middle of the night after a Christmas party. They had to be pushed away because the victim would not let them go. This also caused the woman’s injuries: a broken nose, a broken ankle requiring surgery and several bruises.
The medical report says very clearly: that couldn’t have happened. Rather, it matches the victim’s description: “All I know is that the one on my right knelt on the meadow and hit my face. I tried to scream, but every time I wanted to scream, he covered my mouth. I couldn’t even open my eyes because they were so swollen.” An unimaginable torture…
Suspect describes rape as a ‘test of courage’
While the Romanian beat the Viennese woman, the second defendant allegedly raped her – DNA evidence also proves this. “My client will tell the truth today,” his lawyer Marius Hortolomei initially announced. However, no trace of this can be found during the course of the trial. Initially, his genetic material would only have been found because he ‘took away’ the first defendant’s hand. He then says, “I saw my brother-in-law touching her private part, so I did that too as a test of courage.”
The 58-year-old testified during the trial before the Vienna Regional Court as part of a hostile interrogation and was not required to listen to the suspect’s statements. Her voice cracking, she remembers: “My whole body became stiff and cold.” The men simply left her in the meadow, and only the second passer-by called the police and rescue services.
While the woman was seriously injured in hospital, the Romanian and the Italian were busy shopping with their debit cards: four packs of cigarettes, food and mobile phone accessories at a vending machine. The 22-year-olds acknowledge responsibility for this. However, they are found guilty on all counts: “It is clear to us that the two defendants raped the victim, stole from them and then made payments,” said the jury chaired by Eva Brandstetter.
“This excessive level of violence is particularly frightening,” Ms. Rat said, probably the worst aggravating factor. Both men each face twelve years in prison. The first defendant also had a three-month suspended sentence revoked, which is not legally binding. The victim receives 14,620 euros.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
