A 33-year-old man was convicted of cyber-grooming an eight-year-old girl in Vienna, resulting in a sentence of two years and four months in prison. The defendant admitted to the charges but blamed his actions on mental health issues and substance abuse. Following interactions on Snapchat, he manipulated the girl into sending explicit images. The case came to light when her brother alerted their mother, leading to police involvement and a swift investigation.
Cyber-Grooming Case Shocks Vienna Court
A 33-year-old man has been found guilty in a disturbing case of cyber-grooming involving a minor, with the ruling delivered by a jury in Vienna on Wednesday. This incident, which took place in May, saw the defendant manipulate an eight-year-old girl into sending him explicit photographs and videos of herself. As a result, he has been sentenced to two years and four months in prison, a decision that is now final.
Defendant’s Claims and Sentencing
While the accused admitted to the charges, he attributed his actions to mental health issues, claiming to suffer from schizophrenia and hearing voices for the past three years. He also cited significant issues with alcohol and drug dependency, reportedly consuming substances like vodka, ecstasy, marijuana, and cocaine on a daily basis. Although he expressed remorse for the child, he stated he does not remember many of his actions due to his intoxicated state. It wasn’t until this summer that he began seeking treatment for his addictions and mental health.
Judge Danja Petschniker, who presided over the case, emphasized the importance of a strict sentence for public safety, remarking on the defendant’s lack of accountability. “You did not make a good impression today. You feel sorry for yourself the most,” she stated, highlighting the gravity of his actions. In addition to his prison sentence, the man is required to pay €5,000 in damages to the victim.
The man initiated contact with the young girl via Snapchat in late May, falsely claiming to be 19 years old. Their conversations, which shifted to WhatsApp, quickly escalated, with the accused convincing the girl to send him explicit images and engage in sexual acts over a ten-day period, during which they exchanged hundreds of messages.
The alarming situation was uncovered when the girl’s older brother noticed her interactions with someone named ‘Sam’ on Snapchat. Concerned, he alerted their mother on June 9, leading her to investigate her daughter’s phone. Upon discovering the disturbing messages, she immediately reported the incident to the police, resulting in a swift investigation that identified the suspect through his mobile number.
During the court proceedings, the defendant repeatedly denied any attraction to children, asserting that he was only interested in women his own age. He described his communication with the child as a major mistake, yet the judges pointed out the inappropriate nature of his interactions, with Associate Judge Christoph Bauer stating, “You confused an eight-year-old with an adult.” Bauer also challenged the defendant’s claims regarding his mental health, emphasizing that his behavior could be more accurately classified as pedophilia rather than schizophrenia.
Meetings between the man and the child had already been arranged, though the defendant claimed he was physically unable to follow through due to a herniated disc. When questioned about how he acquired drugs and alcohol during this time, he admitted to having them delivered to his home. The proceedings included private sessions to address the sensitive nature of the case.