Man sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison for sexual abuse of a child in north Cyprus

A man who was arrested for the sexual abuse of a young girl, was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison by a court in north Cyprus.

The court decision against the defendant Tuğrul Torun, a Turkish national who was being tried for sexually abusing a child was announced on Monday January 27.

Delivering the judgement, the chief judge stated that the defendant had acknowledged the charges, and the sexual abuse crime he committed carries a maximum sentence of 6 years. 

The judge emphasized that, based on the annual reports of the courts, there has been an increase in both sexual assault and sexual abuse of minors, and that when determining sentences for such crimes, they should serve as a deterrent and provide comfort to public conscience.

In her decision, Judge Candaş said:

"This situation causes great unrest in society, and families are becoming very anxious while raising their children. On this small island, the safety and peace of individuals, especially the free and healthy growth of children and young people, should be of primary importance. Unfortunately, this has been replaced by fear and unease among families raising children, and by children and young people suffering from physical and psychological trauma. While the courts have a significant role in preventing such crimes, education in schools and strong family bonds also play an essential role in preventing these crimes."

The judge pointed out that the incident came to light when the child's mother noticed bruises on the girl's neck, and that the defendant, who was 20 years older than the victim, had been in contact with the child via social media.

The judge stressed that families have a major responsibility in raising awareness about the dangers of social media while also emphasizing on the seriousness and gravity of the crime.

After addressing both the mitigating and aggravating circumstances for the defendant, the judge announced that the court had decided, unanimously, on a sentence of two and a half years in prison.