Man convicted for sexual offenses against women and minors in Kuopio, Finland

A 54-year-old man, previously prosecuted for harassing women and girls in Kuopio, Finland, has received another conviction for sexual offenses. The man approached completely unknown female victims on buses and in the city center without their consent. Many of his victims were minors at the time of the incidents, which occurred between January and August 2023.

He engaged in alarming behaviors, such as sitting next to women on buses and touching their thighs or breast areas. He also followed women in Kuopio’s city center and inappropriately touched them on the behind. In one disturbing incident, he rubbed himself against a woman and licked her ear. The assaults instilled fear and anxiety in the victims, affecting their willingness to use public transport or move around the city. One victim required psychiatric care due to the trauma experienced.

The North Savo District Court sentenced the man to one year of unconditional imprisonment for 11 counts of sexual harassment and one count of sexual assault. The sentence was heightened because he continued his actions despite previous convictions, indicating a disregard for the law. The ruling is not yet final, as it can be appealed to a higher court.

In addition to sexual offenses, the man was convicted of two counts of defamation for spitting in the faces of two store employees who asked him to leave. He also received a sentence for making illegal threats, having threatened to stab another man at a police station. The man stole a phone, leading to a theft conviction. A mental health assessment confirmed he was criminally responsible for his actions.

His extensive criminal history goes back to at least 2018, and he was previously sentenced for stalking in 2021. Authorities suspect he has continued his troubling behavior this year. He was in custody during the early summer for harassment incidents that occurred in April and May.