Son of Norway’s crown princess convicted of rape and sentenced to four years in prison | Norway
Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norway’s crown princess, was sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of numerous offences. crimes including two rapes. He was also sentenced to a two-year restraining order against one of the alleged victims.
The verdict was handed down by the Oslo district court on Monday morning, almost three months after Høiby’s closely watched six-week trial.
Judge Jon Sverdrup Efjestad found him guilty of assaulting his ex-girlfriend Nora Haukland, the only victim whose name was made public. Høiby was also acquitted of two other rape charges.
Høiby faced 40 charges, including four counts of rape and assault, breach of various restraining orders, drug and driving offences. The charge of violating a restraining order was later overturned.
While Høiby, 29, pleaded not guilty to the most serious charges against him, including rape, he also admitted to some less serious offences. He can appeal the decision.
The trial comes at a difficult time for the Norwegian royal family, which is struggling with the serious illness of Høiby’s mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit. She also faced scrutiny for her past association with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Last week, the Oslo district court ordered the release of Høiby, who had been detained shortly before his trial began on February 3, so that he could spend time with his mother, who was awaiting a lung transplant. However, this request was rejected by the court of appeal.
The trial attracted great attention in Norway and abroad. Ahead of Monday’s hearing, journalists lined up outside the court before the hearing opened at 7.30am.
