How reflection on washing machine helped catch South Korean rapist

A South Korean man has been jailed for seven years for raping his ex-girlfriend after vital evidence caught on a washing machine’s reflection was used to convict him. The victim was able to offer a 39-minute CCTV recording of the assault, which had been reflected off the lid of a washing machine in the room.

The man, who was in his twenties, had first been sentenced to eight years in prison after he was convicted of several sexual crimes, including raping his former girlfriend.

However, the Seoul High Court reduced the sentence to seven years after hearing his appeal, taking into consideration a settlement the man had made with one of his other victims. The court also considered the fact that he had no criminal record.

Most important evidence from CCTV footage

The victim of the alleged crime accused him of raping her six times between April and March last year. She broke up with him after finding explicit material on his phone that showed him and other women.

Meanwhile, the case first depended on the woman’s witness. The victim subsequently provided CCTV footage indicating the assault can be viewed in the plastic lid of a washing machine inside the room. The video was forwarded to the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office to be analysed through forensic means to verify the evidence of the crime.

The man, who was also charged with other crimes, including the suspected rape of an ex-girlfriend and having sex with a minor, ultimately pleaded guilty to the rape. Even with the reduction in sentence, he will spend seven years behind bars for his crime.

The individual has to wear an ankle tag for seven years after his discharge. Moreover, he has been barred from working in centres for children and juveniles for seven years.

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