Thessaloniki: A high school teacher was sentenced for sexually harassing his female students – PatrisNews
A high school teacher was sentenced to 22 months in prison, suspended for 3 years, for sexually harassing his students during school hours.
The Three-member Misdemeanor Court of Thessaloniki, before which he was referred to be tried, unanimously found him legally guilty of abuse of a minor, consecutively and consecutively, recognizing him the lightness of his legal life.
The case file included eight high school students, to whom the 66-year-old teacher allegedly “directed gestures and suggestions of a sexual nature”. There was a report by their parents to the Thessaloniki First Instance Prosecutor’s Office, followed by an investigation by the Thessaloniki Juvenile Protection Sub-Directorate of the Hellenic Police, where the complaining teenage girls (aged 14 to 15 at the time) were examined, in the presence of a child psychologist.
In their statements they seem to have complained – among other things – that the professor asked them questions about their sexual preferences and any sexual experiences they had. In addition, they themselves accused him of “touching” over clothing and on bare parts of the abdomen.
The complaints related to last school year (2021-22) and in particular the period from October to February. They caused disturbances in the educational community of the particular school complex that culminated in occupations.
In his statement, the accused teacher and vice-principal of the said high school (he was placed on leave after his arraignment) described the allegations as false. “These actions are not even of my character, of my age. They are vulgar, extreme and unacceptable,” he said of the acts attributed to him. He attributed what the students reported to the strictness that distinguished him as an educator in disciplinary matters and described himself as the “pillar bearer” of the school. He added that he observed many female students when they showed up late to class or when they were “hitting”, while he – as he mentioned – took the lead in ending sit-ins that took place at the school. “I was becoming unpleasant for all this. If they tarnished me they could do whatever they want […] This is what I pay for,” he said characteristically.
His dismissal was requested by the district attorney, who in her market characterized the complaints as inciting. He indicated – in fact – as an instigator a particular student of the school, who had been punished in the past by the accused teacher for a disciplinary offence.
The complainants were found in the courtroom but were not examined, during the evidentiary procedure, only the statements they gave to the police were read. The professor’s colleagues were also present in the same room, expressing their support.