A 44-year-old coach has been sentenced to four years in prison by the Limassol Criminal Court after admitting charges linked to sexual offences against two minors.
The court imposed concurrent prison sentences of four years for accessing child sexual abuse material and child grooming, and three years for charges of child sexual abuse. The offences involved two minors, aged 16 and 17.
According to the court, the offences were committed between February and April 2025, as well as in June 2025, through online applications. The defendant admitted that he accessed photographs and videos which he had asked to be sent to him in exchange for money. He also sent photographs and videos of himself engaging in sexual acts.
The 44-year-old further admitted that he had suggested meeting one of the minors for sexual contact in exchange for €150.
The defendant had initially faced additional charges, but prosecution on those counts was discontinued after he admitted the remaining offences. He had first denied all charges, before changing his plea at the start of the hearing, after seven prosecution witnesses had already been heard.
In its decision, the court underlined the seriousness of the offences and noted that case law requires strict and deterrent sentences in sexual offence cases. It also observed that child sexual abuse offences remain on the rise, despite the severe penalties imposed by the courts.
In addition to the prison sentence, the court issued an order banning the defendant, for three years after his release, from offering any services to children, working in places where children are present or regularly gather, and living near organised areas used by children.
The 44-year-old will also remain under the supervision of the relevant authority while serving his sentence and for three years after his release.
Source: CNA
