Former school guard jailed in Hungary for sexually abusing two vulnerable minors

A former school guard and child-care worker has been sentenced to eight years in prison for sexually abusing two minors, the Budapest IV and XV District Court ruled at first instance on Friday.

Court hearing held behind closed doors

The man was found guilty of endangering a minor, repeated sexual violence and exploiting child prostitution. The court also ruled that he will not be eligible for parole. The trial was conducted behind closed doors, meaning only the operative part of the verdict was made public. The court’s reasoning has not been released.

According to the indictment, the man deliberately sought employment in institutions where he could come into contact with vulnerable children, first working as a school guard and later as a child-care worker at a Budapest children’s home.

Prosecutors said he exploited his position to establish sexual relationships with two minors who were in difficult and vulnerable circumstances.

First victim was approached at school

The defendant met the first victim while working as a school guard and gradually established a relationship of trust with the boy. He later invited the child to his home, where he provided alcohol and an intoxicating substance.

According to the indictment, he then exploited the situation and, on some occasions, his physical advantage, to force the boy to engage in sexual acts. The case later involved a second victim after the man began working at a Budapest children’s home.

Second victim was a 14-year-old girl

As a child-care worker, the man was responsible for supervising girls placed in the home, overseeing their work and providing care.

In spring 2023, prosecutors said he abused this position of authority to approach one of the girls, who was aged 14 or older, and subsequently engaged in sexual acts with her. The man then instructed the girl not to tell anyone about what had happened, according to the indictment.

The court found him guilty of the charges brought against him and imposed an eight-year custodial sentence. As the ruling was delivered at first instance, the case is not necessarily concluded.

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