The Denpasar District Court yesterday sentenced IKTA, 18, to 5-and-a-half years in prison after having found him guilty of statutory rape.
The victim is identified as SD, 17, who is still studying at a local vocational high school.
Presiding Judge I Wayan Sukradana said that IKTA was guilty of having violated Article 81 Paragraph (2) of the 2016 Child Protection Act.
“The defendant intentionally manipulated, using lies and seduction, the child into having sex with him,” Wayan said.
Prosecutor Dina K Sitepu originally sought eight years behind bars for IKTA. Both parties are still mulling whether they will appeal the sentence.
IKTA and his victim reportedly met via WhatsApp on June 4, 2021. After dating for a while, IKTA convinced SD to come with him to his house in Kuta, Badung. Despite initial rejections, IKTA kept seducing SD and promised he would marry her if the victim became pregnant.
SD’s parents later noticed changes in their daughter’s behavior from going out every night and seldom staying at home. The victim later came forward about IKTA’s actions and the family immediately pressed charges.
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