Overview
- The Härnösand district court found the 61-year-old guilty of serious pimping, attempted rape, assault, threats and a drug offence and sentenced him to four years and five months in prison on Tuesday.
- Prosecutors said he made his wife dependent on drugs and alcohol, used threats to keep her fearful, advertised her online and earned about 500,000 Swedish kronor from payments between 2022 and 2025.
- The judge acquitted him on eight rape counts because the court found the evidence unclear about whether the woman consented in seven cases and unclear about what sexual acts occurred in one case, while prosecutors had sought a 10-year term.
- Investigators identified 120 men who paid for sex with the woman, 29 were prosecuted and 28 convicted with punishments ranging from fines and probation to two prison sentences.
- The verdict has provoked public shock and legal debate in Sweden about proving rape where coercion and substance dependence obscure consent and defence lawyers have signalled they may appeal the sentence.