Verdict Reached for Panty Thief Who Contradicted His Own Testimony

“A selfish crime committed to satisfy sexual desire.”

“If you don’t want to be killed, take off your panties.”

Tomohiko Ito, 26, was charged with robbery and indecent assault for threatening a 16-year-old high school girl, A, whom he saw by chance on a nighttime street, and taking her underwear. He was also charged with attempted indecent assault on another high school student, B (17 at the time), for following her on a nighttime street, telling her, “Don’t make a fuss, just take off your pants,” and trying to make her take off her underwear.

On September 22, Ito was sentenced by the Tokyo District Court.

Presiding Judge Nobuhiro Takamori stated that all of the offenses were selfish acts committed to satisfy the defendant’s sexual desires, such as wanting to smell panties, and deserve strong condemnation, and handed down a prison sentence of 3 years and 6 months, against a prosecution request of 6 years.

From the indictment and opening statements, it became clear that the actions of the defendant, Tomohiko Ito, were extremely heinous.

On September 8, 2012, at around 8:00 p.m., the defendant spotted Ms. B walking in front of him at the station nearest his house, and thinking that he wanted to smell her underwear, he followed her and tried to take her underwear. However, he was unable to accomplish his goal because Ms. B fled the scene, and the defendant fled the scene as well.

“On September 8, 2024, around 8:00 p.m., the defendant spotted B walking ahead near his home station. Thinking ‘I want to smell her underwear,’ he followed her and suddenly said things like ‘Be quiet,’ attempting to take her underwear. However, B escaped, preventing him from achieving his aim, and the defendant also fled the scene.

Three days later, on September 11 at around 6:30 p.m., the defendant spotted A on her way home and again thought ‘I want to smell her underwear.’ He followed her, suddenly grabbed her right wrist, and forced her to remove her underwear. When A tried to escape, he pursued her further, took her to a secluded location, and threatened, ‘If you don’t want to be killed, take off your underwear. I want to smell it,’ thereby obtaining her underwear. After smelling it, he went on to touch A’s genital area in a lewd manner.”

The defendant, Ito, admitted to the incident involving B but partially denied the charges concerning A, stating, “I did not use the words ‘If you don’t want to be killed.’ Also, I did not touch A’s genital area.” He further explained:

“To A, I said things like, ‘I won’t hit you or harm you’ and ‘I won’t do anything terrible or kill you, so take off your underwear,’ but I never used the strong phrase ‘If you don’t want to be killed.’ I did touch A’s thighs, but not her genital area.”

Regarding his use of a plastic glove on his right hand during the incident with A, Ito explained to his attorney:

“I usually keep a plastic glove in my shoulder bag so that my hands don’t get sticky from sweat when playing games on my smartphone.”

Defendant Ito stubbornly continued to deny the allegations

During the defendant questioning held on June 6, the prosecutor pointed out the following regarding Ito’s statements:

“The defendant explained during police and prosecution interrogations that ‘I prepared plastic gloves because touching the body might leave fingerprints.’ Do you not remember saying that? You also said, ‘I touched the girl’s thighs and genital area,’ is that not true?”

Ito responded only with, “I don’t remember.”

After being granted bail, Ito entered a recovery facility dormitory in the Kanto region to undergo treatment for his behavioral issues. During a subsequent defendant questioning on August 13, the prosecutor asked about the effects of this treatment:

Prosecutor: “There were discrepancies between A-san’s testimony and your statements. After receiving treatment, has anything changed?”
Ito: “It’s the same as what I said last time.”

Prosecutor: “Receiving treatment should have deepened your thinking, but in the end, what was your motive for committing this incident?”
Ito: “……”

Prosecutor: “Since you are not answering, I will continue the questions. Why did you think ‘I want to smell women’s underwear’? Can you provide any explanation?”
Ito: “No, I cannot.”

The case has drastically changed the lives of the victims and their families

Until the very end, Ito continued to assert claims that differed from his statements during police interrogation. During her witness testimony on May 8, A-san expressed her anger toward him:

“Even in my daily life, I suddenly recall that disgusting feeling. I can never forgive the perpetrator. I’m afraid of him being released into society, so I really hope he doesn’t get out.”

At the fifth trial session on August 13, A-san’s mother’s attorney delivered a statement reflecting strong feelings for punishment:

“My daughter was suddenly approached by the defendant and experienced the fear that she might be killed. If the defendant had controlled his impulses, this would never have happened. I want him to sincerely understand how much his uncontrollable actions drastically altered the lives of my daughter and myself.”

In closing arguments, the defense highlighted that Ito exhibited tendencies of a developmental disorder and argued that what Ito needs is not prison, but to continue living under a support system while receiving treatment to prevent reoffending, requesting a suspended sentence. However, as previously noted, a prison sentence was ultimately handed down.

Continuing treatment is certainly important to prevent future victims. Yet for Ito to truly reform, he also needs time to reflect on why he committed such crimes, whether his perception was distorted, and to confront the reality that his selfish actions profoundly impacted a young girl and her family.