What was planned as a fun family vacation turned into a nightmare during the flight. A 13-year-old’s seatmate waited until the girl was asleep and then assaulted her on the plane. The 60-year-old now silently admits this in court in Vienna.
“At first I thought I was dreaming” – the 60-year-old at the Vienna Regional Court doesn’t glance at the screen playing a girl’s statement. He covers his face with his hand and stares at the ground as she continues, “I slept deeply. Suddenly I felt a touch.”
“His hand was under his vest.”
On August 29, 2023, the suspect and the then 13-year-old sat next to each other on the plane from Vienna-Schwechat to Bulgaria. As the victim fell asleep, he reached under her vest, which she had spread out on her lap, and touched her thighs and genitals. “His hand was under his vest so no one could see him,” the girl said during her interrogation.
The 13-year-old had to go to a psychiatric hospital
Direct witness: The 10-year-old stepsister, who sat in the same row on the plane. ‘She was sleeping. I saw the man attack her,” she told the jury. “She then jumped up and cried.” The parents even had to take the girl to a psychiatric hospital a few days later.
The 60-year-old electrician was arrested immediately after landing in Bulgaria and spent 12 days in prison before being tried there. During his trial for sexual abuse of minors in Vienna, he was taciturn: “I deeply regret it,” were his only words as he lounged in the dock.
I slid a piece of paper with the hotel and phone number
Particularly bold: while on the holiday plane, the defendant gave the 13-year-old a note. It had the name of his hotel and his phone number on it. “What inspired you at that age is difficult to understand,” said judge Andreas Böhm.
Because the 60-year-old is innocent and has made a confession, and the victim also pays 3,000 euros in compensation, he gets away with a 15-month suspended prison sentence.
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.
