Teacher who abused student offers unusual defence: 'I didn't know'

B.N.Ç., a 28-year-old Spanish language teacher at a private school in Gaziosmanpaşa, began exchanging messages on social media with his 15-year-old student M.A.

After some time, teacher B.N.Ç. invited the student to his home and sexually abused him. M.A.'s father noticed what had happened, and after examining his son's phone, filed a complaint with the prosecutor's office.

M.A., whose statement was taken in the presence of a pedagogue, said that he and his teacher had been messaging each other on social media and that a closeness had developed between them.

"IT HAPPENED OF MY OWN FREE WILL"

The student recounted that from 27 May onwards he had gone to his teacher's home, where they watched films together, and that they had been sexually intimate on 4 occasions. He stated that no one had forced him and that it had happened of their own accord, but that he filed the complaint out of embarrassment after his family found out.

'I DIDN'T KNOW HE WAS UNDER 15'

Spanish language teacher B.N.Ç., 28, who gave a statement after being taken into custody, claimed in his statement that the student had sent the first message, saying: "We did not have sexual relations. I didn't know he was under 15 — he told me he was 16. If I had known he was underage, I would not have become his partner."

Following his statement, the suspect was brought before the on-duty Magistrate's Criminal Court and remanded in custody, then sent to prison.

RELEASED

Spanish language teacher B.N.Ç. was sentenced to 14 years and 7 months in prison on charges of "Depriving a Person of Liberty by Means of Force, Threat, and Deception" and "Sexual Abuse of a Child." After being tried under arrest, the teacher was released following 4 months in detention.

While the trial continues without arrest, if the verdict is upheld the teacher will be re-arrested and sent to prison.

News Source: 12punto