A mental health assessment recommends preventive detention: Defendant charged with grooming and sextortion of 68 children
The defendant admits to several of the charges, which involve abuse of children.
There are 15 court hearings in the case. (Photo: © Bo Amstrup, Ritzau Scanpix) 27 minutes ago
It was primarily on Snapchat and the video chat service OmeTV that a 25-year-old man came into contact with a number of children, whom he is charged with grooming and sexually extorting.
Today, the 25-year-old man is seated in the Court of Svendborg, charged with having subjected 68 children to sexual abuse online.
The 25-year-old man admits to several of the many charges.
The children were primarily between 11 and 14 years old at the time of the offenses, during a period spanning five years.
The prosecution has already stated that the mental health assessment prepared in connection with the case indicates that the 25-year-old man is dangerous.
- Therefore, the recommendation from forensic psychiatry is that preventive detention is required, said Senior Prosecutor Brian Dybdahl.
However, the assessment has not yet been presented to the highest medical authority, the Medico-Legal Council. It is therefore unknown whether they will reach the same recommendation.
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Police: Threatened victims
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The 25-year-old man did not wish to speak in court at this time, as it was to take place behind closed doors.
However, his defense lawyer had repeatedly made it clear that her client acknowledged several parts of the serious charge against him.
But there were also parts that he could not remember.
According to the indictment, the 25-year-old man threatened several of the victims that "he would take his own life," "hack the parents' bank accounts," or "share their pictures with family and friends" if they did not do as he asked.
Several of the children committed abuse against themselves – and in a few cases also against other children.
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Several children to give testimony
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The case began in April 2023. At that time, the North Zealand Police received a report.
The case was sent to the Funen Police, who, based on a username, were able to trace the Snapchat account to Funen, and subsequently a couple more reports were received.
In October 2024, the police searched the now 25-year-old man's phones, and there they found several videos and pictures of the victims in the case.
In March 2025, the police again searched the man's address and electronic devices. At the same time, they arrested the now 25-year-old, who has been in pretrial detention since.
During the investigation, the police have identified 27 of the 68 victims in the case. This is primarily because they have found their usernames on social media.
Several of the children have been video-interviewed in the case, while 12 children are to give testimony before the court.
Additionally, two adults are also to give testimony, including a parent and an expert.
Fifteen court days have been scheduled, and a verdict is expected in mid-December.
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