Judge Avoids Sending Man To Jail After He Admitted To Sexually Assaulting Four Teens

A judge has avoided sending an American man to prison after he admitted to sexually assaulting four women.

Christopher Belter was just 17 years old when he was charged with first degree rape, third degree rape and sexual abuse.

His victims were aged between 15 and 16 and the horrifying crimes were committed at his family's home in Lewiston, New York.

Two years ago he pleaded guilty to two counts of second degree sex abuse, third degree attempted abuse and third degree rape.

A court sentenced him to two years of interim probation and he was granted youth offender status during that trial.

However, the now-20-year-old was found to have breached his probation restrictions by watching pornography and he was told he would be sentenced as an adult.

Belter addressed his victims in court ahead of his sentencing.

He said: "Through treatment and reflection, I've come to feel deep shame and regret for my actions none of you deserved to be in this situation. I hope each of you could close that wound I gashed.

"I know though, that a scar will remain that will serve as a reminder of the evil of that night."

Despite admitting to raping and sexually assaulting the teenagers, Niagara County Judge Matthew Murphy sentenced Belter to eight years of probation.

Judge Murphy believed sending the young man to prison was 'inappropriate' and thought probation was a more suitable punishment.

"I agonised - I'm not ashamed to say that I actually prayed over what is the appropriate sentence in this case. Because there was great pain. There was great harm, there were multiple crimes committed in the case," he said while handing down the punishment.

"It seems to me that a sentence that involves incarceration or partial incarceration isn't appropriate, so I am going to sentence you to probation.

"It's going to be like a sword hanging over your head for the next eight years."

His victims were understandably horrified by the result and one of them reportedly ran to the bathroom to throw up when she heard the sentence.

Lawyer Steve Cohen, who represented one of the teenage victims, said justice was not handed down in this case.

"I am deeply, deeply disappointed. I expected a different outcome today," he said. "[Belter] is privileged. He comes from money. He is white. He was sentenced as an adult, appropriately - for an adult to get away with these crimes is unjust."

Featured Image Credit: WKBW

Topics: News

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

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