A woman in Ishøj, Denmark endured nearly five days of captivity and brutal violence according to court documents. Her alleged captor threatened to have her daughter raped and family killed if she attempted to escape. The 51-year-old suspect now faces multiple serious charges including rape, deprivation of liberty, and violent assault.
Police reports describe how the man systematically weakened his victim's resistance by administering sedative pills. During her captivity from November 10-15, the woman suffered repeated physical violence including being struck in the head with a mobile phone and beaten with a hammer. The assailant also applied chokeholds and neck restraints according to the charging document.
The case reveals disturbing patterns in violent crime that Danish authorities have been working to address. Denmark's legal system takes such extreme violence seriously, with prosecutors seeking indeterminate detention for the accused. This reflects the country's approach to handling offenders deemed likely to reoffend.
Even while in custody at Vestre Fængsel in Copenhagen, the accused allegedly threatened two different prison officers. He told one officer "If you don't move, I'll chop you up" and threatened to headbutt another while making direct eye contact. These incidents resulted in additional charges for threatening public servants.
The case begins Wednesday in Glostrup City Court as a judge and jury trial, indicating the defendant has not confessed to the charges. Denmark's use of lay judges in serious criminal cases represents a distinctive feature of its judicial system that involves citizens directly in the justice process.
This horrific case comes amid ongoing discussions in Denmark about violence against women and prison safety. The Nordic country, while generally safe, continues to confront challenges with organized crime and domestic violence. The severity of these allegations suggests authorities view this as among the more extreme cases of prolonged captivity and torture in recent Danish criminal history.