The Provincial Court of Sancti Spíritus has sentenced a man with HIV to 18 years in prison for sexually abusing a minor with a significant mental disability.
The 55-year-old offender, despite being an AIDS carrier, engaged in sexual acts with the child multiple times without ever using protection. According to the newspaper Escambray, these incidents occurred last year at the home of a friend of the minor's mother. The adolescent has a mental functioning level that is significantly below his chronological age.
The young boy would stay over on weekends at the residence, where the attacker, the single brother of the woman, also lived. He seduced the boy with lewd treatments in secret from the rest of the family, managing to engage in multiple sexual encounters.
The victim, who attends a special education center, began to show signs of withdrawal, prompting his teachers to coax him into revealing what had been happening. The teachers, along with the boy's mother, filed a report with the Police.
The accused, who had no prior criminal record, was tried for the crime of corrupting minors, as stipulated in Article 402, sections 1 and 2, clause (e) of the Penal Code.
The man appealed the sentence, but the Supreme People's Court dismissed the appeal and upheld the original ruling.
Escambray highlights that this is not the only case of its kind being judged in the Sancti Spíritus court this year. "Such incidents commonly stem from the excessive trust and naivety of family members, who fail to recognize the dangers of certain relationships between minors and adults, or even with older children," the report states.
Legal and Social Implications of the Case
This section provides answers to frequently asked questions about the legal and social ramifications of this case in Sancti Spíritus.
What was the legal basis for the sentencing?
The sentencing was based on Article 402, sections 1 and 2, clause (e) of the Penal Code, which deals with the corruption of minors.
Why was the offender's appeal dismissed?
The Supreme People's Court found no grounds to overturn the initial ruling and thus dismissed the appeal, affirming the original sentence.
What measures can families take to protect minors?
Families should be vigilant and aware of the relationships their children have with both adults and older children, maintaining open communication and educating them about potential dangers.