The security camera footage did not show the attack, but could be seen in the reflection of the plastic lid of a washing machine in the video.PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: PEXELS via The Straits Times/Asia News Network
SEOUL — A 24-year-old man was sentenced by the Seoul High Court to seven years in prison for a series of sex crimes, including one that was proven when investigators found that his attack was reflected on a washing machine lid in security camera footage.
An appeals court found the defendant guilty of rape, sexual assault, illegal confinement, and sexual intercourse with a minor.
He was also ordered to wear an electronic tracking anklet for seven years after release, and banned from working at facilities for juveniles, children or disabled people for seven years.
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One of the offenses drew public attention in July 2024, when the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office commended investigators for their outstanding use of forensics.
Prosecutors had already indicted the man for other offenses, including raping a former girlfriend, threatening to release a video of the assault, and sexual intercourse with a minor. But they were having difficulty proving another accusation against him, brought by a second rape victim.
The security camera footage submitted by the victim did not show the actual attack, but a forensic analysis of the footage uncovered that the attack could be seen in the reflection of the plastic lid of a washing machine in the video.
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Investigators were able to acquire concrete proof after sound and video enhancement of the footage, which led to the defendant admitting to the crime.
Convicting him in November 2024, a district court said, “The defendant’s crimes are dreadful in nature, and he consistently tried to excuse his actions to the investigators while pursuing legal actions against the victim to pressure her. A heavy punishment is necessary.”
The Seoul High Court gave a slightly more lenient punishment than the eight years sentenced by a lower court, recognising that the defendant had reached a settlement with one of the victims and had no prior criminal record.