Former Taipei Detective Convicted of Sexual Assault, Second Trial Upholds 7-Year Sentence

Central News Message

(Central News Agency reporter Liu Shih-i, Taipei, 14th) A former detective surnamed Chen from Taipei's Zhongzheng First Police Station was accused of sexually assaulting a subordinate. In the first trial, the Taipei District Court ruled that as a public official, he abused his authority to commit forcible sexual intercourse three times (completed) and one attempt (unsuccessful), sentencing him to seven years in prison. Today, Taiwan's High Court rejected the appeal in the second trial, upholding the seven-year sentence. Further appeal remains possible.

The Taipei District Prosecutors' Office indicted Chen for four incidents of sexual assault against a female subordinate between December 2020 and June 2022, charging him with forcible sexual intercourse and attempted forcible sexual intercourse. Additionally, in September 2020, Chen was accused of sexually harassing a woman while riding together in the back seat of a vehicle. However, due to the expiration of the statute of limitations, this part was dismissed without prosecution.

The police administratively recorded two major demerits against Chen and dismissed him from duty. His administrative lawsuit was dismissed due to filing beyond the legal deadline.

The first trial at Taipei District Court examined the four alleged sexual assaults and concluded that Chen, as a public official, abused his power to commit three completed acts and one attempted act of forcible sexual intercourse, sentencing him to seven years' imprisonment.

The case was appealed and reviewed by Taiwan's High Court. During the second trial, video evidence was examined to verify the interactions between Chen and the victim. Chen insisted that the sexual acts were consensual. However, the High Court ruled today that the original judgment was correct and rejected the appeal. The verdict is still subject to further appeal.

In the civil case, the first trial ordered Chen to compensate the victim with NT$6,067 for medical expenses and NT$1 million for mental distress. The second trial in the civil case is currently ongoing. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150714