Man appeals life sentence over sexual assaults of 10 girls

"During the trial, Yanagimoto pleaded guilty to charges including forcible sexual intercourse resulting in injury."

This makes no sense, what is the appeal about?

He stalked the girls, broke into their homes, assaulted them, took pictures and video, threatened to send pictures to keep the girls silence. This guy is a scumbag of the highest order. Life in prison ( probably about 12-15 years ) is too good for him. He will be mid to late 40's when let back onto the streets. Sadly Japanese prisons are not brutal for sex offenders as they are in the US and UK so his life will not be in danger from other prisoners.

"The length of the sentence and no possibility of parole is excessive? (Not my opinion, just speculating on an answer to your question.)"

Your observations makes sense but the guy pleaded guilty to all charges leaving himself to the mercy of the court.

In some countries, that’s enough to be executed

Fingers crossed this vicious animal dies in prison. It would be disgusting if he were ever to walk the streets again.

Hawk

"I'm not sure that means that the court can impose any sentence it likes. And usually guilty pleas mitigate a sentence, don't they?"

Of course you are correct again, but the judge throwing him life, means it's in the books and his plea ment nothing relative to the crimes committed

10 elementary school girls, aged between 6 and 12?

What other choices are they?

"Extremely vicious"....

Tomoya Yanagimoto, a former hospital worker, has appealed after the Osaka District Court sentenced him to life in prison, as sought by prosecutors, ruling that he tracked the girls' movements and assaulted them under threat of killing them.

Tomoya Yanagimoto is either locked up permanently or executed?

A hospital worker.

A profession that would put him in close contact with children.

I don’t understand what the fuss is about. In my country he would receive the death penalty and deservedly so.

Hawk,

I think that's right. And for the prosecution to seek that sentence means that it must be within sentencing guidelines or limits. Perhaps the appeal will rely on precedents. Or I could be totally wrong and the appeal is against something else entirely. Although the headline does say it's against the sentence.

Perhaps the defense might have discovered new evidence we are not aware about it, encouraging to proceed with the appeal.

He should be thankful to Japan's justice system, if this predator was in another country and I won't mention names he will be Stoned to death, or Hanged, or whipped to death, for assaulting just one child and NOT 10, google it.

Again and again and again, until Japan starts compiling and keeping national data base made available to all schools and hospitals on all PREDATORS so a background check can be done, these thugs will continue on harming the weak and the vulnerable.

People like him should have their testicles removed as soon as convicted

I can't believe this PoS has the audacity to appeal his sentence after having irreparably damaged and traumatised these girls. They're going to be scarred for life, no matter how much therapy and support they receive. In a fair and just world, this man would have been castrated then sentenced to the gallows. He ruined not one but 10 lives. He doesn't deserve to live out his days in a cell with three square meals nor draw breath.

CephusToday  04:53 pm JST

"During the trial, Yanagimoto pleaded guilty to charges including forcible sexual intercourse resulting in injury."

This makes no sense, what is the appeal about?

It's in the headline. The LIFE SENTENCE! Generally, a court gives you some credit for accepting responsibility, pleading guilty, and not putting the kid through the trauma of a court case. For a hospital worker, a background check should be done as a matter of course, but it won't catch them if they have never offended or been arrested. I'm not condoning it, but it's not as bad as Jimmy Saville and the French doctor/surgeon who abused nearly 300 patients. Mostly kids, and the biggest horror...the french doctor's wife knew about it. Glad he got caught and was arrested.

During the trial, Yanagimoto pleaded guilty to charges including forcible sexual intercourse resulting in injury.

forcible. That's where I draw the line.

yorkiebobToday  10:25 pm JST

Read this quickly because when I raise this, it is always taken down: Didn't a former Japanese politician recently get a suspended sentence for raping a schoolgirl?

Sentencing is rather inconsistent. This guy gets life, and the politicians got a suspended sentence for assaulting a 12-year-old junior high school in a karaoke place. There shouldn't be any reason for this to be taken down, as I think it refers to the inconsistency in sentencing by the courts. Why did one get a life and the other get 3 years, suspended for 5 years?

It sends a mixed message to society but also to the parents of the child. According to some articles, money was involved, accepting responsibility and sparing the child a court case. But again, the money shouldn't make any difference.

Abe234Today  10:48 pm JST

Sentencing is rather inconsistent. This guy gets life, and a politician got a suspended sentence for assaulting a 12-year-old junior high school in a karaoke place just a while ago. There shouldn't be any reason for this to be taken down, as I think it refers to the inconsistency in sentencing by the courts. Why did one get a life and the other get 3 years, suspended for 5 years?

It sends a mixed message to society but also to the parents of the child and the victims, and also to women. According to some articles, money was involved, accepting responsibility and sparing the child a court case. But again, the money shouldn't make any difference. So, the sentencing in both cases should be reviewed. I believe it is on topic as it refers to two very similar cases. Sorry for the double post.

Abe234...

but it won't catch them if they have never offended or been arrested.

The proposed scheme for next year will only flag those convicted of crimes in court. Many arrested make a settlement with the victim. These will not be counted.

This should be a hangable offense. He didn't kill anyone but he destroyed the lives of ten girls.

That scumbag deserves gallows..

For the utter depravity of his crimes and the terror he has put these young girls through, the judge has handed down the only sentence available - a full-life tariff in prison, no ifs or buts.

It is the responsibility of all adults to protect all children at all times; by locking this vile monster away, a lot more potential victims will be protected.

Win the appeal, and then give him the death penalty