Larissa court throws book at defendant over rape of boy, aged 5

A court in Larissa, central Greece, sentenced a 45-year-old man to more than 19 years in prison over the rape of a 5-year-old boy in the summer of 2023.

The defendant, identified only as an Albanian national by state broadcaster ERT in its report on Thursday, was found guilty of committing sexual assault, abusing a minor under the age of 12 and abusing his position of trust.

The 45-year-old had been working for the boy's family in their island business in the northern Sporades when the abuse took place.

According to ERT, the boy's parents discovered that he was being sexually assaulted after they noticed changes in his behavior. 

The Larissa court convicted him to 19.5 years in prison. The maximum sentence of time served in prison under Greek law is 20 years.

The defendant denies the charges.