Entertainment worker Klaids Siņica avoided a prison sentence after being convicted of raping a 15-year-old girl at the “Šausmu parks” in Anykščiai district, Lithuania, according to a ruling by the Panevėžys Regional Court panel of judges. The decision, delivered by Judge Donatas Jatužis, sparked public outrage and criticism from politicians, as the perpetrator denied the charges, blamed the victim’s sexualized behavior, and expressed no remorse.
Court Ruling and Suspended Sentence Details
According to the Panevėžys Regional Court judgment reported by LRT, K. Siņica received a three-year prison sentence with execution suspended for two years. The court ordered him to pay the victim 5,000 euros in moral damages. Additional mandates require him to begin working, studying, or register with the Employment Service within two months of the judgment taking effect, participate in violent behavior correction programs, and remain at home between 22:00 and 06:00 for six months unless engaged in work or study.
Judge Jatužis explained that the case was heard behind closed doors and noted that the panel evaluated specific circumstances, including the absence of brutality, drug use, or a group dynamic. According to the judge’s statements reported by LRT, the court considered the 18-year-old’s youth, lack of prior criminal convictions, steady employment history, and intact social ties when deciding against a real prison term.
Victim’s Account and Evidence Presented
According to the victim’s testimony reported by LRT, K. Siņica was dressed in a clown costume when he grabbed her by the neck, pretended to stab her with a fake dagger, took her blanket, and ran off. When the girl went to retrieve her blanket, they took a photo together, after which the clown pulled her and a friend into a labyrinth. While the friend managed to escape, K. Siņica pulled the victim into a small utility room.
The victim stated that she clearly demanded he stop, immediately told her friends what happened, and cried. According to LRT, witnesses confirmed the victim emerged in tears. The court found that K. Siņica knew the girl was a minor because he had asked if she was 18, and she shook her head to indicate she was not. Judges concluded that the perpetrator deprived the victim of the ability to resist by exploiting her minor status, the element of surprise, and an unfamiliar room.
Mother’s Reaction and Impact on the Family
According to LRT, the victim’s mother expressed deep anguish and anger over the court’s decision. The mother stated that her child’s health was shattered and described the ordeal as a festering wound that reopens constantly. She noted that the family had to change the victim’s school because the girl wore a hoodie pulled up for nearly a year out of fear of social stigma. The mother questioned how the state protects children and criticized the labyrinth park for failing to ensure safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sentence did Klaids Siņica receive?
According to LRT, K. Siņica was sentenced to three years of imprisonment with execution suspended for two years, alongside mandatory behavioral programs, a curfew, and a 5,000-euro moral damages payment.
Why did the court issue a suspended sentence?
According to Judge Donatas Jatužis, the court weighed the offender’s youth, lack of prior criminal record, employment status, and the absence of aggravating factors such as group participation or extreme physical brutality, concluding that incarceration could worsen his behavior.
How did the victim respond to the attack?
According to LRT, the 15-year-old victim immediately reported the assault to her friends, who confirmed she was crying upon exiting the labyrinth.
Worth a look