The State Prosecutor in Viborg has appealed the district court’s verdict in the Hjallerup murder and rape case to the High Court of Western Denmark, seeking a sentence of indefinite detention for the defendant. The case involves the murder and rape of a 13-year-old girl in March 2024.

The district court in Hjørring had previously found the then 17-year-old defendant guilty of both murder and rape, sentencing him to 12 years in prison. This decision followed the court’s acknowledgement of the defendant’s “extraordinary recklessness.”

State Prosecutor Jakob Berger Nielsen stated the appeal is due to the “unusually gross and deeply serious case,” highlighting the Medico-Legal Council’s assessment of the perpetrator’s dangerousness and recommendation for indefinite detention to prevent future violent crimes.

The district court’s July 4 verdict considered the defendant’s age and lack of prior convictions, leading to the 12-year prison sentence. The defendant admitted in court to killing the girl near a water tower, detailing the violent acts he committed.

Evidence presented in court included details of the defendant’s actions after the murder, such as pouring cola over the deceased. The district court’s judgment also referenced other violent crimes committed by the defendant, including sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl, robbery, and violence.