Two 21-year-old men were sentenced to nine years in prison after a series of brutal robberies against women aged 84–98 in Småland. One of the elderly women testified that the men subjected her to sexual abuse, including pressing stones against her genitals. Now the Court of Appeal has changed parts of the verdict and acquitted the men of the charge of sexual abuse—even though the court acknowledges that the assault took place, but determines that it cannot be proven which of the men committed the act.

Last winter, several elderly women in Huskvarna were subjected to violent robberies in their homes after opening the door to men they believed were package couriers. The first robbery took place on New Year’s Eve, and the last on January 11.

In one of the robberies, the men broke in by smashing a window. An elderly woman was subjected to violence, and the men stole jewelry and other valuables.

During the robberies, they used a significant amount of threats and violence. On another occasion, they were masked when entering an elderly woman’s home. She was pushed down onto a bed, and her hands were tied with cable ties. The men also stuffed a piece of cloth in her mouth and threatened to shoot her.

On January 10th this year, the men targeted an 84-year-old woman in Huskvarna. When she opened the door, the masked men entered. She was subjected to violence and threats, and her hands and feet were bound.

According to her account, the men also used a weapon-like object to threaten her. During the robbery, her clothes were cut up with a knife. She was also blindfolded and had something put in her mouth.

READ ALSO: Loqman and David terrorized 84-98-year-olds with sexual assaults: “You little whore”

The woman recounted that she was then subjected to a sexual assault with stones pressed against her genitals. Because she was blindfolded, she could not see which of the men committed the act.

The men remained in the residence for about four hours before leaving the scene. The woman was then able to press her emergency alarm button.

A little over a week later, the suspected perpetrators, Loqman Ismael, 21, and David Lindén, 21, were arrested and detained. The two men were subsequently charged with two counts of aggravated robbery, two attempts at aggravated robbery, and attempted aggravated rape after the robbery against the 84-year-old woman, who according to the indictment was subjected to sexual abuse involving stones being pressed against her genitals.

Prosecutor Viktor Wetterö demanded twelve years in prison for each. The men were convicted in Jönköping District Court to nine years in prison for three aggravated robberies, one attempted burglary, and, instead of attempted rape, the charge was changed to aggravated sexual abuse.

Acquitted of Sexual Abuse

On September 28, the Göta Court of Appeal announced its verdict in the case. The court largely upholds the district court’s judgment but completely acquits the men of the charge of aggravated sexual abuse against the 84-year-old woman.

The reason is not that the Court of Appeal questions whether the men subjected the woman to a sexual assault. The court considers this proven. The problem is that it cannot be determined which of the two men committed the act—or that they acted together.

Below follows the Court of Appeal’s reasoning in full.