The court has toughened the sentence of a dance instructor convicted of sexual abuse of a minor

The Court of Appeal increased the prison term for a dance instructor who pleaded guilty to the sexual abuse of a student committed in 2005. Initially, the Nicosia Criminal Court sentenced him to 2.5 years in prison; however, the Attorney General’s Office filed an appeal, considering the punishment too lenient. The convicted man, on the contrary, asked for a reduced sentence.

The court of first instance found that the instructor gradually gained the minor’s trust by abusing his position as a mentor — frequent contact, attention outside classes, and the atmosphere of closeness he created were part of a calculated strategy. After the incident, the student became withdrawn and his academic performance dropped sharply. Only in 2020, after taking psychology courses, was he able to tell his family and file a report with the police.

When handing down the initial sentence, the court took into account the guilty plea and the defendant’s reputation. However, the Court of Appeal considered these circumstances insufficient in light of the seriousness of the case and the abuse of a minor’s trust. The judges emphasized that such crimes are becoming more frequent, and the judicial system must send a clear message.

The sentence has been increased to four years of imprisonment.