Man gets 14 months for intimidating assault victim in court

Monday 27th April, 11:37 AM JST

TOKYO —

The Tokyo District Court on Monday sentenced a man to 14 months in prison for intimidating in court a woman he was accused of assaulting and who was attending the trial hearings in her capacity as victim. Eiji Watanabe, 44, was accused of threatening the woman, a fortuneteller in her 30s who gave testimony at the first hearing on Feb 9, by suggesting he would attack her again, according to the indictment. She was so shocked that she gave up attending subsequent hearings.

Watanabe was sentenced to two years and two months in prison last month for assaulting and injuring the woman on a Tokyo street last November. He has appealed the ruling. Watanabe denied that his remarks at the trial were specifically targeted at the woman. Prosecutors had demanded he be detained in prison for 18 months, arguing she suffered secondary damage from his remarks.

The woman attended his court hearings under a newly introduced system to allow crime victims to attend and express their views over a ruling.

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10 Comments

timorborder at 11:42 AM JST - 27th April

Not much of a message sent here. This clown should have been banged up for 5 to 10 hard labor.
Altria at 11:44 AM JST - 27th April

Watanabe, 44, was accused of threatening the woman, a fortuneteller in her 30s who gave testimony at the first hearing on Feb 9, by suggesting he would attack her again, according to the indictment. She was so shocked that she gave up attending subsequent hearings.

You mean she didn't see this coming?
neverknow2 at 11:51 AM JST - 27th April

At least, finally the system did something good.
soldave at 12:37 PM JST - 27th April

"suggesting he would attack her again" - Wouldn't she already know this?
LoveUSA at 01:37 PM JST - 27th April

all abusers shall stay at least 10 years in prison.
Disillusioned at 02:15 PM JST - 27th April

There is no shame, only sorrow!
Nessie at 02:24 PM JST - 27th April

What specifically was the charge?
dennis0bauer at 03:09 PM JST - 27th April

i hope the abuser gets abused in prison
BBLeo at 07:11 PM JST - 27th April

He should be behind the bars for a long time and please get the first available shrink to adjust his marbles. People like him shouldn't be walking in the streets of Japan. However, this woman wasn't smart at all. When you undertake court hearings be prepared for anything and have a balls to listen to it or even get abused.
bdiego at 06:37 AM JST - 28th April

"Watanabe denied that his remarks at the trial were specifically targeted at the woman."

That's right, he was just threatening to attack people in general.

BBLeo, being threatened with physical violence is not acceptable or legal. Unlike most criminals, he didn't know how to be discreet in his repeat offenses. Most people wait until they get out of jail first.