Man Who Locked Wife and 11-Month-Old Daughter on Balcony... Also Assaulted Her for 'Refusing Sex'

During an Argument, Wife Locked Door to Balcony... Then Let Daughter Out, Leaving Mother and Daughter Alone for About 9 Hours

Gwangju District Court. Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] A man in his 30s who habitually abused his wife and 11-month-old daughter for refusing to have sexual relations was sentenced to a suspended prison term.

According to the legal community on the 30th, the Gwangju District Court Criminal Division 7 (Presiding Judge Lee Hosan) sentenced A (36), who was indicted on charges including special injury, property damage, confinement, assault, and violation of the Child Welfare Act (child abuse), to 8 months in prison with a 2-year suspension.

Along with this, he was also ordered to perform 120 hours of community service and attend 40 hours of lectures on preventing recidivism in child abuse.

A was indicted for habitually assaulting his wife B (in her 20s) and abusing their 11-month-old daughter from January to mid-April.

On April 11th at around 8 p.m., when B went out to the veranda during an argument at their home, A locked the door from inside the room. He then sent their daughter, who was alone, out to the veranda as well, leaving the mother and daughter confined for about 9 hours until 5 a.m. the next day, April 12th.

A assaulted B by slapping her cheek and strangling her because she "refused to have sexual relations," and repeatedly struck her arms with a bamboo cane. He also assaulted and tormented B by pressing hard on her armpits with his hands and scratching her with his nails.

The court pointed out, "Considering that the defendant inflicted injury on his spouse for refusing sexual relations and confined the young daughter with the spouse on the veranda, leaving them exposed to the cold, the social condemnation of the motive and content of the crime is high, making the choice of imprisonment inevitable."

It added, "However, all sentencing conditions were taken into account, including the fact that the defendant has no prior record other than fines and that he admitted his wrongdoing," explaining the reason for the sentencing.