In the spring of 2023, a teacher in Hallsberg municipality is arrested by police, suspected of eight rapes against a 17-year-old girl.
The 32-year-old man is released in the district court, but when the verdict is appealed to the High Court, the municipality buys him for close to half a million SEK.
-We do not comment on individual agreements, says Catharina Lindvall-Scharmer, head of school in Hallsberg municipality, about the incident.
The purchased man has, under another name, been identified as a radical Islamist and has expressed support for the Islamic State.
– It’s serious. Had we known that, we would have handled the recruitment in a different way, says Lindvall-Scharmer.
The principal gave references
SVT’s review shows that the principal at the school in Hallsberg was a reference on the man’s resume when he is looking for new services.
– It was based on the teaching work that I was a reference, says the principal to SVT, and emphasizes that the man was released in the district court.
Did you say anything about what he was accused of?
– This was a long time ago, I actually can’t remember.
The principal believes that he has not been called by someone who ultimately hired the man, but that he regrets his decision today.
– It was wrong for me to even stand as a reference.
The municipality promised loyalty
The purchase agreement between Hallsberg Municipality and the teacher also contains a loyalty clause. There, the parties promise a “loyal approach in the future”.
-This means that we have a professional approach and do not comment on the agreement, says Catharina Lindvall-Scharmer.
The head of the school says that the letter has no connection to the principal’s decision to stand as a reference.
Hallsberg Municipality has also not reported the teacher to the School Inspectorate, which could have led to his losing his teacher’s identification.
– Based on his professional practice, there were no remarks on him. But sure, we might have made a notification, says the head of school.
Has Hallsberg Municipality contributed to this teacher being able to continue working – even though he is charged with rape?
– I have a very hard time commenting on it. We do not think we have failed.
After the man left his service, he gets a new teaching job in Surahammar municipality. Here, too, he is purchased – for another half a million SEK.
In the fall of 2024, the man is sentenced to six years in prison for eight rapes. He has declined an interview with SVT.