A 19-year-old man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for the manslaughter and rape of a 13-year-old girl in Hjallerup. The verdict was delivered by a divided jury in the Court of Hjørring.

The jury found the man guilty of manslaughter, rape, and indecent treatment of a corpse. He was also found guilty of having another sexual relationship other than intercourse with a 14-year-old girl in 2022, of violence and robbery.

While the defendant pleaded guilty to manslaughter, he denied raping the girl. The court emphasized that traces of semen were found in several places on the girl, as well as DNA traces likely belonging to the defendant. In addition to the other charges, the jury also found him guilty of pouring cola on the deceased.

The defendant’s attorney, Mette Grith Stage, stated that her client is “relieved” that he received a fixed-term sentence rather than indefinite detention. She had argued for a sentence of ten years in prison. While satisfied with the fixed term, she will consider appealing the judgment.

The presiding judge noted the “particular recklessness” of the crime, but also emphasized the defendant’s age and lack of prior convictions. The defendant was 17 years old at the time of the murder, which occurred out of frustration over the girl ending their relationship. He attacked her on her way home from a youth club, knocking her over, grabbing her neck, and punching and kicking her. The girl was found lifeless and fatally injured behind a heating plant, wearing only a bra, a top, and stockings. Her pants and panties were found in a nearby container.

A minority of the jury voted for indefinite detention, a sentence recommended by the Medico-Legal Council to prevent future dangerous crimes. However, the majority opted for the 12-year prison term. Special Prosecutor Mette Bendix will review the judgment to determine whether to recommend an appeal to the High Court. He was acquitted of a charge of raping a 15-year-old girl.