A man in his 60s has been sentenced to four years in prison for robbing and injuring a longtime acquaintance after the victim returned home to find him inside, court officials said Monday.
The Uijeongbu District Court found the man guilty of robbery resulting in bodily injury over the July 6 attack at the victim’s home in Dongducheon, Gyeonggi Province.
The defendant, who was unemployed and struggling financially, had repeatedly entered the home without permission to steal food, using a key he had taken earlier.
At around 8:50 p.m. on July 6, the victim, also in his 60s, came home and encountered him.
The defendant threatened and assaulted him with a knife before taking 150,000 won ($110) in cash. The victim sustained injuries requiring two weeks of medical treatment.
“The defendant betrayed the trust of someone he had known for 15 years,” the court said. “Even after he was caught stealing food, he had a chance to seek forgiveness. Instead, he robbed the victim after seeing his wallet.”
The court said a substantial sentence was warranted because the victim had not forgiven the defendant. In determining the sentence, it also considered the small amount stolen, the defendant’s financial difficulties and his remorse.
minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com