A 52-year-old teacher from Rhodes is being sent to prison to serve a 5-year sentence imposed by the Three-Member Court of Appeals of the Dodecanese, which decided by majority vote not to convert the sentence. He was found guilty, as in the first instance trial, of seducing a minor and soliciting a child for sexual purposes, while also receiving a fine of €3,000. According to “Dimokratiki” newspaper, on November 30, 2019, around 3:00 AM, the defendant illegally entered the premises of a 49-year-old father’s home and struck him in the face with his hands, causing physical injuries.
Read: Sexual crimes plague Rhodes: Rape and domestic violence allegations from a minor and a tourist
Specifically, on the same day around 3:00 AM, the 49-year-old returned home to Archangelos with his 45-year-old wife and 14-year-old daughter. When they went up to the first floor, they discovered the defendant was there. Upon seeing the minor, he told her “you were out” and then attacked her father, striking him in the face. The 49-year-old fought back while his wife called the police.
During the incident, the defendant, who had been restrained by the father, reportedly told him he was in love with his daughter, and the relationship between them was subsequently revealed. The minor, according to reports, stated in her testimony that she initially had a friendly relationship with the defendant from her school, and when he was transferred from there, they maintained contact through Facebook.
Rhodes: The relationship turned romantic despite the 14-year-old’s refusals
This relationship evolved, and in September 2018 they met and kissed, while from April 2019 their relationship had become romantic, with the minor claiming she had expressed her refusal many times.
In testimony given before an officer of the Rhodes Security Sub-Directorate, the minor partially retracted what she had initially stated, emphasizing among other things that what happened between her and the teacher occurred with her consent without the use of violence or pressure. She described in detail how they met and the loving relationship they had developed. She emphasized that he was good to her, that he had given her a bracelet, and furthermore that she did not wish for his prosecution.
52-year-old denies rape or sexual contact occurred
The teacher, on the other hand, in a written statement of explanations denied the allegations against him, emphasizing that there was no rape nor sexual contact, adding that with the minor there was a platonic love and he would not do anything that would offend her dignity, especially against her will.
The teacher also stated that he would not go into details that would affect her personality, while whatever act may have been performed occurred after she completed her 13th year of age.
It should be noted that the medical examination revealed that the minor bears no injuries or signs indicative of injuries and furthermore that her hymen has not been ruptured.
However, the forensic doctor does not rule out that romantic contact may have occurred.
