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An Indian businessmen who raped a 15-year-old girl on a Swiss International Air Lines flight to Zurich has been given a suspended sentence.
The attack reportedly happened on 17th March during the nine-hour journey from Mumbai, India to Zurich Airport.
The man, whose identity was not disclosed, was arrested by police when the Airbus A330 landed.
Court documents stated that the teenager briefly spoke to the man before falling asleep in her seat under a blanket.
He put his arm around her and touched her thigh.
He then put his hand inside her trousers and penetrated her with his fingers.
Prosecutors said the girl froze and did not move or speak during the assault.
The man also forced her hand onto his lap and rubbed it over his genitals through his clothing.
The girl later told a flight attendant what had happened.
Cabin crew immediately moved her to another seat and kept the man under constant observation until landing.
Police officers boarded the aircraft on arrival and detained him.
The District Court of Bulach has now found him guilty of rape and sexual acts with a child.
The businessman confessed to the assault during the 19th August hearing and admitted that the girl had not consented.
He also told the court that he knew she was young, even though he did not know her exact age.
He reportedly told the court: "I couldn't control myself!"
The case was tried under Switzerland’s revised rape legislation, which came into force a year earlier after lengthy debates in the National Council and the Council of States.
Under the new law, the definition of rape follows the principle of "no means no". A sexual act is considered rape if the victim shows by words or gestures that they do not consent.
Previously, the law required that the perpetrator used threats or violence before the offence could be prosecuted as rape.
The legal change also broadened the definition of rape beyond forced intercourse to include acts similar to intercourse involving physical penetration.
He was given a suspended sentence of one and a half years and can be freed immediately as he has been in custody since March.
The man was banned from Switzerland for five years and prohibited for life from any activity involving minors.
He was also ordered to pay legal costs of around CHF 9,000 (GBP 8,250). He has since been handed over to the Swiss Migration Office for deportation.
(Mike Leidig / newsX)
Byline Journalist: Mike Leidig
Byline Sub editor: Simona Kitanovska
Byline Spotter: Mike Leidig
Byline Commisioning Editor: Mike Leidig
Byline Senior Writer: Mike Leidig
Byline Picture Editor: Zorica Stojkovik
Byline Copychecker: Marija Stojkoska
Byline Illustrator: Marija Stojkoska
Byline News Editor: Mike Leidig
Geography: Switzerland
Subject: Aviation, Planes, Legal, Crime, Sex Crime, Paedophilia, Rape
T4 Editor Story Rating: 10
T4 Editor Pic/Vid rating: 4
T4 Total rating: 7
