[Tragic Verdict] The Judgment That Left the Victim’s Parents in Tears

The remorseless words uttered by the defendant at the end

After the victim impact statements, the prosecution and defense presented their arguments.

The prosecutor pointed out that “The defendant approached the victim in a residential area and forcibly took her into someone else’s garage, demonstrating a bold, practiced, and extremely malicious crime.” Furthermore, the prosecutor stated, “The defendant has two prior convictions for similar offenses, as well as two additional repeat offenses. He exhibits a habitual tendency toward sexual crimes against minors, continuously makes unreasonable excuses, and shows no genuine remorse.” As a result, the prosecution sought a 15-year prison sentence.

On the other hand, the defense argued, “The defendant cannot be held responsible for the resulting injury in this case. We request a lenient sentence within the scope of trespassing and non-consensual sexual intercourse charges.”

On March 10, Presiding Judge Jun Shimato sentenced the defendant, Shingo Takahashi, to 15 years in prison.

During the cross-examination, when asked by his lawyer, “If you receive a prison sentence, can you promise that you will never commit such a crime again after your release?”, Takahashi responded:

“I am already 69 years old. I don’t know how much longer I will live. I have diabetes, and other health issues might arise. I believe it would be best for me to die in prison. But if I were to be released, I think my age and physical condition would make it impossible for me to commit such acts again, so I will try to live properly.”

Takahashi maintained that his actions were not driven by a sexual motive, claiming instead that “A-san didn’t apologize, so I wanted to punish her by doing something she would hate, a sexual act.” He repeatedly denied causing injury, stating, “I never hurt her. I didn’t do anything that would cause pain.”

Furthermore, he claimed, “To prevent myself from committing such acts, I have been drinking sugar every day to develop diabetes and lose my male function, suppressing my sexual urges.”

Despite having participated in a sex offender rehabilitation program while previously incarcerated, it seems that the only deterrent to his crimes was his physical decline.

One can only hope that the victim will one day regain her smile.