A 45-year-old man is suspected of abusing girls since autumn 2010.
Now he is charged with aggravated rape of children, sexual abuse of children, aggravated breach of peace, assault and child pornography offences.
– It is probably one of the largest and most systematic cases we have had here, says Johan Sangby, the police’s investigation leader in Jämtland.
The indictment that was brought today at the Östersund district court is extensive.
Serious rape of a child “frequently” between September 1, 2010 and August 1, 2021 against a girl.
Aggravated sexual abuse of a child between September 1, 2010 and August 21, 2021 against the same girl, in addition to the child rapes.
Serious breach of peace from winter 2018 until January 8, 2023.
Aggravated child rape “frequently” between August 13, 2013 and January 6, 2023 against another girl.
Aggravated sexual abuse of a child between July 8, 2013 and January 6, 2023 against the girl in the previous charge.
Aggravated rape of a child “frequently” between May 7, 2018 and December 31, 2022 against a third girl.
Abuse of a fourth girl
Child pornography offense after possession of 33 images.
In addition, a 45-year-old woman is charged with one count of aggravated rape against the “fourth” girl “by failing to intervene (…) enabled the particularly reckless and brutal behavior.”
Revealed by public alarm
According to the indictment, the man’s abuse must have taken place in several different places in the country. In the lawsuit, it appears that the sexual offenses took place, among other things, during pram walks, in playrooms, while driving, outdoors and in homes.
Everything went on for over a decade – until the police were alerted about the man last winter.
– This is an extensive investigation that has been conducted since the beginning of January when it came to the attention of the police. It’s a general who contacts the police and through that we get to know about this, says Johan Sangby, investigation manager at the Jämtland Police.
– This case stands out in that it is a very extensive case, there are over 1,000 pages in the preliminary investigation and includes very large amounts of investigative material, both time and resources that worked on the case. And how it has happened systematically and repeatedly and for such a long time on many different occasions.
Investigator: It’s tough
How has it been for you to investigate this case?
– Cases like this are always tough, always when it comes to crimes against children, there are tough investigations. It is probably one of the worst cases in terms of child abuse that I have investigated, it is probably one of the largest and most systematic cases we have had here.
In a written comment, senior prosecutor Lisa Forsberg says:
– The police have done a thorough investigation. A large number of interrogations, technical evidence and IT-technical evidence have strengthened the suspicions against the man and the woman during the course of the work.
According to the police, the accused man has admitted “large parts of the suspicions but not everything.” The woman denies any wrongdoing.
The trial starts in mid-May and is expected to last 15 days.