• Sweden edition

Parents jailed for lashing 11-year-old son

Published: 14 Aug 09 08:39 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/21462/20090814/

The parents of an 11-year-old boy have been imprisoned by a Swedish court for doling out regular punishment with a belt which left their son bleeding from cuts on his back.

The couple were imprisoned for 18 months apiece by Södertörn District Court near Stockholm on Thursday, according to a report in Metro Stockholm.

The boy, who is from the southern Stockholm area, was beaten by his parents at least once a month from 2006 until 2009.

In May 2009 the boy plucked up the courage to contact a police unit and showed them his scars.

Shortly thereafter the 11-year-old's father was taken in for questioning.

Both the boy's parents have now been imprisoned for the abuse. They have appealed their sentences.

TT/The Local (news@thelocal.se/08 656 6518)

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11:34 August 14, 2009 by Hedley
It depends on what is done... For "bleeding cuts"for a belt, it means that it was very abusive, since belts usually leave red skin marks called ecchymoses (plural-- singular: -sis they have color changes from red to yellow). I am agree with minor punishment for offsprings, however "bleeding cuts" looks like very abusive behavior. If I had a picture, I would show the features that makes them different to other readers.

As far I know, Swedish law does not make any distinction between minor or major. As I have mentioned in another topic: "politician live in Saturn, Frodoland or Alpha Centauris, not in the third rock"
11:41 August 14, 2009 by Puffin
The only difference between minor/major would be in the sentence

If the minor cases there sentence is usually a small fine

This was serious child abuse that gos way beyond "smacking" - and I think would have been regarded as abuse in most western countries
11:58 August 14, 2009 by here for the summer
funny i normally comment on increased sentences especially for stranger attacks. Here they don't say if they have other kids or where they are from ( it is relevant here ) since some countries this would be normal. I would think counseling and monitoring or temporary removal from the home could be a 1st step here. The purpose of a crimnal justice system to protect people. I think this might be accomplished without prison and maybe sending both parents to prison could possibly hurt the child more
12:29 August 14, 2009 by Leprehcaun
That's sickening.. It would be interesting to know if they are immigrants and if yes then this would be easier to swallow but that's torture .

What are the chances he gets more than 6 months of jail time? 5%? I hate our justice system.
12:59 August 14, 2009 by here for the summer
read the article they got 18 months each ..
13:07 August 14, 2009 by Leprehcaun
I did.. I missed it.. embarrassing, thx..
14:00 August 14, 2009 by peropaco
Leprehcaun; by the sound of it I think they are your Average Bengt-Arvid and Signilda-Hildegard. The gentle and peaceful demeanours they exude tend to turn in to incontrollable and unparallel violence after the first sip of Sofiero and from sucking out the sticky juice from the brain of all the kräftor. ;-)
14:33 August 14, 2009 by Leprehcaun
lol

Well I never thought that someone or something told we I have written too little.. "Error: comment text too short".. I've impressed myself. :O
15:56 August 14, 2009 by Baroness_Fredericks
There's a fine line betwixt punishment and cruelty. Unfortunately humans can be very devoid of humane feelings. Especially towards the young, the elderly, the handicapped, anything different and to animals. Just study the actions worldwide of muslims, for one example and you shall see what we mean. Normally, we all have feelings of compassion and try to help others and better ourselves, whereas they believe in the opposite manner. They still, daily, stone women to death, *(You can see this online, being done now. Hang people for minor offenses or for being gay.), and they think nothing about strapping on explosives to children, women, each other and to special needs children, all to satisfy their cultic beliefs. Without pity nor hesitation.
16:04 August 14, 2009 by BaronessKvP
The Nordic Vikings were not even this cruel. To beat your very own children is horrible enough. You are supposed to honor, respect and teach one another with love and compassion. Above all, learn to forgive. But, do not allow those to enter your civilized societies when you know they have no intent to assimilate. This is foolish and risky. Your forefathers left what they have accomplished through many centuries to "you" to defend and protect.
16:15 August 14, 2009 by Puffin
There is nothing in any of the articles on ethnicity in this case so some posters are jumping to conclusions

In the original Metro article (in Swedish) it says that the boy came from a "well to do" family in Stockholm and that the parents were successful business owners - and that one of the beatings was incurred when he brought home the wrong set of skis from a school skiing trip
18:11 August 14, 2009 by insect
BaronessKvP

Nowhere in this article does it state that these people came from another country. Let us not jump to conclusions because these 'civilized' societies also breed people worse than child beaters. We have serial killers, psychopaths and all types of unsavoury characters roaming the streets and they were not born or brought up in the 'uncivilized' societies.
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