Youth club leader in child rape scandal
Police in Västerås in central Sweden are in the process of unraveling a sexual abuse case involving a youth leader and minors. The man, who is in his 40s, is a youth leader at a sports club in Västerås.
After police questioned the man on Wednesday, prosecutor Lars Folkunger decided to arrest him on a charge of child rape. The full extent of the man's alleged abuse is not clear and because of this, the prosecutor wishes to investigate the matter in strict confidentiality.
Speaking to TT, Folkunger said that the investigation is in the very early stages. He said he needed to consider the potential damage publicity could cause to the people involved.
The suspect is due at Västmanland District Court on Friday afternoon, charged with child rape as well as other sex offences.
Following the man's arrest, the youth club he worked for called an emergency meeting for the members' parents. According to the Vestmanlands Läns Tidning newspaper, worried parents were informed of the arrest and given the opportunity to ask questions.
Västerås council staff are dumbfounded by the case. Göran Johnson, in charge of club associations in the town told TT that it is the first time in his 20 years there that such a matter has come up. All he knows is what he can read in the papers.
The man denies all charges.
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After police questioned the man on Wednesday, prosecutor Lars Folkunger decided to arrest him on a charge of child rape. The full extent of the man's alleged abuse is not clear and because of this, the prosecutor wishes to investigate the matter in strict confidentiality.
Speaking to TT, Folkunger said that the investigation is in the very early stages. He said he needed to consider the potential damage publicity could cause to the people involved.
The suspect is due at Västmanland District Court on Friday afternoon, charged with child rape as well as other sex offences.
Following the man's arrest, the youth club he worked for called an emergency meeting for the members' parents. According to the Vestmanlands Läns Tidning newspaper, worried parents were informed of the arrest and given the opportunity to ask questions.
Västerås council staff are dumbfounded by the case. Göran Johnson, in charge of club associations in the town told TT that it is the first time in his 20 years there that such a matter has come up. All he knows is what he can read in the papers.
The man denies all charges.
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