Limassol, Cyprus. A court of appeal increased to 10 years the prison sentence for a father convicted of sexually abusing his underage daughter, ruling that the original punishment did not reflect the gravity of the offences and the need to protect child victims.
Background to the conviction
The man was found guilty by the Limassol criminal court in 2023 on charges related to the sexual abuse of his daughter while abusing what the court described as a “position of trust, power and influence” over the victim. He was initially sentenced to six years in prison on each of two charges, to run concurrently.
Appeal and sentence increase
After an appeal filed by attorney-general George Savvides on the grounds that the punishment was “manifestly insufficient,” the court unanimously increased the sentence to 10 years on each charge, also to run concurrently.
Court’s reasoning
In its decision delivered on Tuesday, the court said the original sentence “does not reflect” the seriousness described in the criminal court’s findings. The judges said that, regarding the seriousness of the offences and the need for deterrent sentences, the attorney-general was correct, adding that punishment must “accurately reflect the need to protect minor victims from would-be offenders.”
The court also cited what it called “the alarming increase in the commission of such offenses” in explaining the need for stronger deterrent sentences in cases involving child sexual abuse.
What do you think courts should consider most when setting sentences in cases involving child sexual abuse?
