Denmark

Man accused of sexually abusing nine children

40-year-old faces 28 total charges for incidents spanning over 20 years

A 40-year-old man from the western Jutland city of Esbjerg has been indicted on charges of sexually abusing nine children over a period of 23 years. According to public broadcaster DR, the man faces 28 charges, including the abuse of his own daughter.

The first alleged sexual assault dates back to 1987, while the most recent is from 2010. The attacks between 1987 and 1992 are alleged to have happened in the western Copenhagen suburb of Taastrup and to have involved a victim who was only four years old when the first assault took place.

The man also allegedly committed sexual abuse in the western suburbs of Hvidore and Greve before a long series of attacks in Esbjerg. According to the indictment, at least one of the incidents is alleged to have occurred in the city’s public swimming facility, Sport & Event Park Esbjerg.

According to Jyllands-Posten, Esbjerg city officials denied any prior knowledge of the ongoing abuse, saying they first heard of the case when it surfaced in the media yesterday.

DR News has reported that the suspect was arrested on October 4, 2010 and has been in police custody since. The man denies his guilt and faces trial in Esbjerg on October 25.