Probation for Teenage Girls in Brutal Peer Torture and Sex Crime Case: Why?

Two teenage girls have received suspended prison sentences finalized for water-torturing a peer and filming and distributing sexually exploitative material.

According to legal circles on September 6, the Namyangju branch of the Uijeongbu District Court sentenced defendant A (19) to one year and six months in prison, suspended for three years, on charges including joint injury, special intimidation, and violations of the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles against Sex Crimes.

Defendant B (16), who stood trial alongside A, was sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for two years.

In September 2024, the defendants went to the victim's home, believing that a friend had been assaulted because of a peer, victim C.

Defendant A threatened the victim with a weapon, forced her into a bathtub, and water-tortured her, while defendant B beat the victim repeatedly with plastic bottles and other objects when she tried to get out.

Investigations revealed that they also committed other acts of cruelty, such as trapping the victim inside a moving box and kicking her, burning her with cigarette butts, and forcing her to swallow toothpaste.

Their sex crimes were also uncovered during the course of the investigation.

Defendant A forced another victim, D, to strip completely as a drinking game penalty at a studio apartment in Nowon-gu, Seoul, forced her to perform sexual acts, and filmed it with a mobile phone.

Defendant B received the video and distributed it to a social media group chat that included the victim's younger brother and several others.

The court reprimanded them, stating, "Considering the methods and contents of the crimes, the nature of the offenses is extremely poor." However, the court judged that "the defendants are showing remorse and are still in the process of forming their personalities, leaving room for rehabilitation."

The court added, "The sentencing took into account factors such as reaching settlements with some of the victims and having no prior criminal records."

As neither the prosecution nor defendants A and B appealed, the first-instance ruling was finalized as delivered.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.