40s Man Questioning Stepdaughter About "Sexual Relations" and Attempting to Set Fire

Court sentences 2 years 6 months imprisonment and 4 years probation
Prior charges for violation of Child Welfare Act

A man in his 40s who secretly recorded phone conversations between his teenage stepdaughter and her boyfriend to question her about sexual activity, and who attempted to set fire to her body, was found guilty of child abuse.

On the 5th, the 14th Criminal Division of the Incheon District Court (Presiding Judge Ryu Kyung-jin) sentenced Mr. A (44), who was charged with violating the Act on the Protection of Communications Secrets and child abuse under the Child Welfare Act, to 2 years and 6 months in prison with a 4-year probation, according to Yonhap News Agency.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The court also ordered Mr. A to undergo 40 hours of child abuse recidivism prevention lectures and 120 hours of community service, along with probation.

Mr. A was indicted for secretly recording phone conversations between his stepdaughter B (then 17 years old) and her boyfriend on August 29 of last year at an apartment in Gyeyang-gu, Incheon.

The next day, he played the recording for Ms. B and questioned her, asking, "Did you have sexual intercourse with your boyfriend?"

Afterward, Mr. A threatened Ms. B by saying, "Let's all die together," spraying alcohol intended for a mini brazier on her and acting as if to ignite it with a lighter.

It was confirmed that he had a prior conviction from September last year for coercing sexual acts and sexual harassment against a child under the Child Welfare Act, for which he was sentenced to 2 years in prison with a 3-year probation.

The court stated, "The defendant secretly recorded the phone calls of his stepdaughter, whom he was responsible for protecting, infringing on her privacy, and questioned her about sexual activity, which is a private matter, causing harm to her mental health. The victim had also previously suffered sexual abuse from the defendant."

It added, "Although the psychological shock suffered by the child victim is significant, the defendant has shown remorse, and the victim has expressed that she does not wish for the defendant to be punished," explaining the reasons for the sentencing.