Courtroom, illustrative stock photo (source: Sme)
Moreover, the ex-teacher is obliged to take part in a social re-education programme. The Regional Court thus overturned the verdict of the Humenné District Court dated May 25, 2015.
Dana Kováčová, 34, a primary school teacher in Koškovce (in Prešov Region), was found guilty of having trysts between March-October 2013 with a male student who was then 12 years old, whom she sexually abused on at least five occasions for her own satisfaction, thus endangering his future moral and physical development.
Regional Prosecutor Natalia Čurillová said that the court accommodated the appeal of the defendant and changed the sentence.
“I consider this decision lawful and just,” she said, as quoted by the TASR newswire. “I'm of the opinion that the purpose of the punishment will be fulfilled even with the defendant not in a penitentiary. The verdict of the court is valid; therefore, the probation period has begun from today.”
Defence counsel Ján Vrba told the media that the verdict in a way fulfils all the attributes, as stated by the panel chair. He considers it important under these circumstances that the minor children of the defendant do not suffer harm through this verdict.
The appellate court took into account extenuating circumstances: the defendant has pleaded guilty, showed remorse, had no criminal record and also received a positive evaluation from her school. Furthermore, the court also took into account the fact that she is the mother of two minors, afflicted by serious health issues and in need of long-term care. If she went to prison, the punishment would affect her children and husband more than her, said Čurillová, as quoted by TASR.
