Three teenagers received prison sentences in a Danish vigilante case. The group used fake profiles on dating app Grindr to target gay men.
They lured men with promises of sex with minors through decoy profiles. Then they ambushed and assaulted their targets in North Zealand.
Six teenage boys aged 17 and 18 faced charges in this case. It represents one of several incidents where self-appointed pedophile hunters targeted men online.
Three defendants chose to confess their roles during summer and autumn. The court sentenced them to prison terms ranging from two to four years.
The other three defendants denied guilt, so their cases proceeded separately. The Helsingør Court began a judge-only trial in September and has now reached verdicts.
Two of the three received unconditional prison sentences of six and seven months. The third defendant received 14 months in prison but will only serve six months initially.
The remainder of his sentence becomes conditional. He must avoid criminal activity for two years and undergo one year of probation supervision. The probation service may require him to complete addiction treatment.
All three convicted teenagers have two weeks to decide whether to appeal the verdict to the Eastern High Court.
This case highlights the dangers of vigilante justice in Denmark. While the perpetrators claimed moral motives, their actions involved serious criminal offenses against gay men.