Tuesday, June 27, 2023

CRIME ROUND UP

 Filenews 27 June 2023



The Permanent Assize Court of Limassol gave a second chance to a 19-year-old defendant, imposing an 18-month prison sentence suspended for three years for a case of sexual abuse of a child and at the same time production, possession and distribution of child pornography.

The offences and the facts of the case are peculiar due to the age of the accused and the complainant, as she is a 13-year-old student. As "F" is aware, a 19-year-old defendant in June 2022 engaged in a lewd act with the minor, who was filmed and then sent the video to the 13-year-old.

The 19-year-old and 13-year-old met on social media and chatted amicably. On the night in question, he was going to take her to a relative, but he asked her to have sex. Although the 13-year-old refused, there were subsequent acts which the defendant recorded with his cell phone.

The proceedings were held behind closed doors due to the offences, with the accused admitting all the charges he faced. His defense lawyer, Dimitris Lochias, in his speech for mitigation purposes called on the court to take into account his client's clean criminal record, admission and apology. He pointed out that admission in such cases is of paramount importance, as it avoids the complainant from appearing to testify in court. It should be noted that the accused suffers from mild mental retardation, which was particularly taken into account by the Assize Court.

In the ruling, the court notes that the defendant, knowing the young age of the victim, should and had an obligation to refrain from such behaviour and not to sexually exploit the victim. The Assize Court handed down several prison sentences, the longest being 18 months, for the offence of sexual abuse. However, he suspended the sentence for a period of three years, noting that the defendant was given a second chance to reform and be able to continue his life, avoiding the adverse consequences of serving the sentence.

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The details of a man who allegedly injured two people with a knife on Monday night in Ypsonas are being sought by the ICF of Limassol. A 19-year-old is in critical condition.

According to the Police, at around 21.30 yesterday, two persons, 19 and 30 years old, were transferred to Limassol General Hospital, bearing injuries on various parts of their bodies.

From examinations carried out, it was found that a little earlier, while they were in the square "Marios Tokas" in Ypsonas, they had a verbal confrontation with another person, who allegedly retrieved a knife and injured them, leaving the scene on foot.

The 19-year-old, after undergoing surgery, was intubated and detained for hospitalization in the Intensive Care Unit, while his health condition is judged by the attending physicians as critical. The 30-year-old was also detained for treatment, with his health deemed out of danger.

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A bomb exploded shortly before 4 a.m. on Tuesday in Limassol.

According to the police, around 03:45 in the morning, information was received by the authorities about an explosion in a vehicle parked outside an apartment building.

The explosion caused extensive damage to the front of the vehicle, while the scene was cordoned off by members of the Police for examinations.

From the first indications, it is established that the explosion was due to the detonation of an improvised explosive device of low power.

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Members of the Stroumpi – Panagia Police Station, as part of their patrols to prevent burglaries and thefts, spotted around last night on Griva Digeni Avenue in Polemi, a car parked on the side of the road and two persons next to it.

During the identification of their details, it was found that they were a 28-year-old and a 20-year-old from Paphos. It was also found that an arrest warrant was pending against the 20-year-old to facilitate investigations into cases of car theft, vehicle arson as well as burglary and theft cases.

Then, during the body search, a small amount of cannabis was found in the possession of the 28-year-old, while a search of the car found burglary tools, a bayonet, a metal detector and two knives.

The two persons were arrested and detained, while the Stroumbi Police Station in cooperation with the Pafos ICF continues the examinations.

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A 30-year-old man was arrested on Monday in a community in Larnaka district to facilitate the investigations of the Anti-Narcotics Service (YKAN) regarding an ongoing case of illegal possession of drugs for the purpose of supply.

According to the Police, "on the afternoon of Monday, June 27, between the hours of 18:50 and 19:20, members of the Larnaca Anti-Narcotics Service conducted a search at a house in a Community of Larnaka district, where a 30-year-old man lives. The search found 34 grams of methamphetamine crystalline substance, two used glass tobacco syringes, a precision scale and other evidence in a bedroom box that was taken for further scientific examination."

The man was arrested for the offences of illegal possession of drugs and illegal possession of drugs with intent to supply. The 30-year-old is expected to be brought before the Larnaca District Court today for a detention order.

The case is being investigated by the Larnaka District Unit of YKAN.

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Pafos Live

A maisonette in Chloraka belonging to Cypriot permanent residents of Canada was looted by strangers.The perpetrators not only stole the equipment of the house, they even removed the electrical installation and the door and window frames.   

Cypriot refugees living in Canada after the Turkish invasion bought a maisonette in the area of Chloraka in recent years in order to stay in it, two or three times a year.   Their nephew recently found, despite the measures they took by placing metal railings outside doors and windows, that the house adjacent to the complex in which foreigners illegally reside has been completely looted.  The perpetrators not only stole the equipment of the house such as furniture and electrical appliances, they removed the cupboards from the bedrooms and kitchen countertops, they even removed the frames from the interior doors and the electrical installation.  They left only empty walls.

The relatives of the owners complain that foreigners staying illegally in the area either loot the apartments to sell the materials for recycling or transfer them to other apartments in which they settle themselves. It is reminded that a court order was issued for this complex prohibiting the use of this building.  The complex was deemed by the competent authority, the District Officer of Pafos, as unsuitable for human living and use due to unsanitary conditions.

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