Totally senseless

Pensioner beaten up: “The crime won’t let me go”

(Bild: Schütz Markus)

"Courageous" was how the judge described the responsibility of a man from Linz who struck at the Christmas market and beat a pensioner into hospital. After two operations, the victim hopes that he will not have to go under the knife again with his eye. The batterer was granted clemency, but only if he fulfilled all the conditions.

"Courageous, courageous", said the judge at the Linz regional court when he heard the responsibility of an accused violent offender. The 48-year-old spoke of a mix-up, that he had not struck at the bus stop at the Christmas market in Linz's Volksgarten in the afternoon. "The man was already injured and aggressive towards my partner. I just put him away."

"Do you want to drive in?"
The 78-year-old victim, Peter P., was no longer able to identify the perpetrator: "I was so shocked." But two witnesses clearly recognized the accused. And under the impression of these statements and the judge's question "Do you want to drive in?" there was still a stammered confession.

"If it was me, I'm sorry"
This resulted in 18 months in prison, six of which were hard - but if the convict pays the 5,000 euros in compensation for pain and suffering, the unconditional sentence can be commuted to a fine, otherwise he will go to prison. The convict took time to think about it, apologized with a handshake: "If it was me, I'm sorry."

Victim avoids crime scene
The pensioner is still suffering from the consequences of the nine to twelve punches: "My left eye hasn't turned right. I may even have to have a third operation." The broken rib, bruises and haematomas have healed, but his soul is still suffering: "I avoid the bus stop. Now, after the trial, I hope I can sleep without pills."