A Limassol court sentenced a psychologist to six years in prison on Tuesday after finding him guilty on four counts of sexually abusing a teenage patient who had been under his care.
The Permanent Criminal Court in Limassol delivered the immediate custodial sentence following a hearing conducted behind closed doors. The court found the defendant guilty on all four counts, noting that he had abused the position of trust, authority, and influence he held over the complainant.
The four counts related to the sexual abuse of a child under the Prevention and Combating of Sexual Abuse, Sexual Exploitation of Children and Child Pornography Law (Law 91(I)/2014) and the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence Law (Law 115(I)/2021).
The offences were committed against a minor who was approximately 17 and a half years old at the time and was attending sessions with the defendant as his psychology patient.
Court findings
According to the court’s findings, the defendant conducted sessions at his home office. When the complainant first began attending, she was withdrawn, had little self-confidence, and had a distant relationship with her family. Her confidence, social relationships, and school performance improved as a result of the sessions.
The court found that the defendant addressed the complainant with flattering terms, shared personal experiences with her, and purchased two or three paintings she had made. He knew she had no prior sexual experience and told her that at her age it was normal and necessary to have sex, and that she should dress in a way he described as sexy.
On the day before the incident, during a scheduled session, the defendant asked the complainant whether she wanted him to teach her how to kiss and engage in sexual acts. He subsequently arranged for her to visit his home the following day under the pretext of painting a wall.
The following day he collected her from her home and drove her to his house. On arrival he kissed her on the cheek and on the mouth while he was bare-chested. He later showed her pornographic content on his computer and directed her to perform a sexual act, which she did.
The court found that when she told him she was trembling, he told her it was because she was having an experience. On the return journey he told her not to tell anyone, saying many people had betrayed him and asking her not to do the same.
Two days later the complainant made a partial disclosure to two prosecution witnesses. After speaking with them she grasped the full nature of what had occurred. The court noted she felt betrayed, having told the defendant she wanted to experience something that would make her stronger.
The prosecution called nine witnesses and the defendant, having been called to answer, testified under oath and called three witnesses in his defence.