A man in his 50s who choked an acquaintance's 8-year-old child and struck her in the stomach until she lost consciousness, then assaulted a bystander and responding police officers, has received a suspended prison sentence.
Judge Ko Beom-jin of the Chuncheon District Court's Criminal Division 2 sentenced A, 55, to one year in prison suspended for two years on charges of causing injury, obstruction of official duties, and assault, the court said on the 25th.
The court also ordered A to serve probation, 160 hours of community service, and 40 hours of alcohol treatment classes.
A was indicted on charges of wrapping his arm around the neck of B, an 8-year-old girl, and choking her, and striking her in the stomach twice with his fist, while walking with an acquaintance and the acquaintance's daughter in front of a convenience store in Chuncheon in July last year.
The assault lasted about one minute, and B lost consciousness and sustained injuries whose recovery period could not be determined. An investigation found that A committed the act out of anger after B pushed away his hand.
When C, 44, who witnessed the scene, tried to stop the assault, A struck C's left arm several times with his fist and attempted to knock him down, committing further assault.
A also used violence against the police who responded to the report. After being arrested at the scene and while being transported in a patrol car, A hurled abuse at Officer D, 28, and headbutted his face. As a result, Officer D sustained injuries requiring about two weeks of treatment.
"The defendant had previously been punished four times with fines for similar and different crimes prior to this offense," Judge Ko said. "Some of the victims have not yet recovered from the harm, and the defendant has not been forgiven by the victims."
He added, "In determining the sentence, the court took into account that the defendant paid 5 million won to B's side and reached an amicable settlement, with B's side petitioning for leniency, and that although D expressed his intention to withhold acceptance, the defendant deposited 2 million won and 3 million won to C and D respectively, making efforts toward recovery of the harm."
