A Limassol court has convicted a 36-year-old man of sexually abusing his partner’s young daughter over four years, whilst also finding the 34-year-old mother guilty of failing to report the crimes despite knowing about them.
The Limassol Criminal Court delivered its verdict on Monday in a case that exposed how the abuse remained hidden due to the mother’s silence and inaction. The court will hear mitigation arguments next week before sentencing.
The man was found guilty on 16 counts of child sexual abuse spanning 2019 to 2022. Judges ruled he exploited his position of trust and authority over the girl, who had not reached the age of consent.
The mother admitted interfering with judicial proceedings and was also convicted of failing to report the abuse after her daughter disclosed it to her in 2023.
Pattern of abuse during visits
The court heard the girl had lived primarily with her father since early childhood following her parents’ separation. The defendant had been in a relationship with the mother since 2016.
The girl would regularly visit her mother’s house for several hours whilst her father was at work. The abuse occurred during these visits over a four-year period.
Mother’s failure to act allowed abuse to continue
In 2023, the girl told her mother what her partner had been doing to her. The mother made no report to authorities despite being legally obliged to do so.
Later that year, the girl met with an educational psychologist and revealed she did not want to visit her mother’s house because of her partner’s actions. She told the psychologist her mother had not believed her when she disclosed the abuse.
The psychologist immediately activated safeguarding protocols and informed the girl’s father and police.
Initially the girl hesitated to make a formal complaint. Later, she confided in a friend who contacted police, leading to official charges being filed.
Trial details
The prosecution called 12 witnesses during the trial. Both defendants were offered the opportunity to testify but exercised their right to remain silent. The man’s defence called one witness.
The court convicted the man under the Prevention and Combating of Sexual Abuse and Sexual Exploitation of Children and Child Pornography Law.