Teenager handed jail term for underage sex

A 17-year-old man was yesterday handed a ten-month unconditional prison term at the Court of the Faroe Islands.

He was cleared of the main charge of rape.

The prosecution called for a three-year jail term if certain aggravating provisions regarding sexual abuse, introduced in Danish criminal law in 2016, also apply in Faroese criminal law. If these provisions turn out not to apply in the Faroes, the sentence should be two years, argued the prosecution.

According to a preliminary assessment by the Court of the Faroe Islands, these provisions do not apply in the Faroes. This question has been appealed to the High Court in connection with another recent case.

Sexual acts other than rape

The 17-year-old man was sentenced for sexual acts other than rape with a 14-year-old girl.

He was also sentenced for sexual offences against another woman, in addition to indecent exposure to and sexual harassment of a third woman.

These incidents are alleged to have taken place in Tvøroyri from February to April this year. The man has been held in custody since 11 April and will remain in custody until he is due to serve his sentence. This decision has, however, been appealed.

Victims compensated

The man denied all charges, and his defence lawyer pleaded for acquittal. According to the sentence, two of the three women involved in the case will receive compensation.

The prosecution and the defence are considering whether to appeal yesterday’s ruling.

The 17-year-old man has not undergone mental evaluation, and he is deemed too be fit for prison.

Read the Faroese version of this article here.

Translated by prosa.fo

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