Forced Molestation of Teenage Patient... Schizophrenia Patient Sentenced to Prison

Forced Molestation Involving Kissing and Touching Body Parts... 1-Year Prison Sentence

A male patient with schizophrenia was sentenced to imprisonment for forcibly molesting a teenage female patient admitted to the same psychiatric hospital.

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kang Woo-seok] A man with schizophrenia was sentenced to prison for forcibly molesting a teenage female patient hospitalized in the same psychiatric hospital.

According to the local legal community on the 3rd, the Criminal Division 11 of the Uijeongbu District Court sentenced Mr. A, who was indicted for violating the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles from Sexual Abuse (forcible molestation), to one year in prison.

In 2020, Mr. A, who was hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital located in Gyeonggi-do due to schizophrenia, lured Ms. B, a teenage patient hospitalized in the same hospital, to his room, kissed her, and forcibly molested her by touching her body parts.

Mr. A was investigated by the authorities following Ms. B’s report and was brought to trial. In court, Mr. A admitted to kissing Ms. B but denied forcibly molesting other body parts. He also claimed to be in a state of mental incapacity due to schizophrenia, lacking the ability to distinguish objects and make decisions.

The court stated, "The victim was receiving psychiatric inpatient treatment for depression at the time, requiring additional protection," and "The defendant’s attitude, which is far from showing remorse, makes the nature of the crime serious."

Furthermore, the court explained the sentencing rationale, saying, "However, considering that the defendant committed the crime in a state of diminished mental capacity due to schizophrenia and various sentencing factors revealed during the trial, the sentence was determined accordingly."